Antigua Guatemala Essay Example

colonial times. Along the streets are colorful houses, prehistoric buildings, churches and ruins.

Antigua Guatemala’s attractions, apart from its breathtaking view and its streets, feel so magical. Its monuments and churches can be found on almost every street and avenue. The Ruins of Hospital of Our Lady of Belen is the place where Saint Brother Pedro died. The place is called “Posada Belen” and is currently used for retreats. At the Ruins of Santa Clara the main cloister of the convent is surrounded by majestic arcs on both floor levels. The main facade is one of the most impressive pieces of colonial art in the city of Antigua Guatemala; for it is decorated with molded stucco, beautiful figures of archangels, and carved pilasters. The Ruins of San Francisco El Grande is a monastery with beautiful arches and a Spanish-style terrace. The remains of the buildings, with its architectural beauty and stucco, give a glimpse of the courage, ingenuity and creative spirit of the ancient religious builders. Poverty did not stop crafts-men from constructing majestic cathedrals and residences with such a unique art, beauty and elegance.

The Ruins of the Convent of the Capuchinas at one of the courtyards is a round cloister called “Torre del Retiro” (tower of retail), built with eighteen cells. Under the aforementioned courtyard there is a vault in a circle shape with amazing acoustics that were used for penitence or punishment of the religious crowd. The main cloister of this convent is surrounded by corridors, with its columns in arch shaped design. The Capuchinas Convent exhibits its historical religious images in the museum. Some images show damage by the

passage of time and unforgiving earthquakes. The architecture of the church and the Convent of the Capuchinas are captivating and impossible to leave without taking pictures.

The ruins of the College of San Jeronimo are buildings that were used as Royal Customs and later as barracks and stables for the Spanish militia. The whole complex is in ruins but has very attractive and beautiful landscape gardens around the central fountain. In the background is the beautiful scenery of the Volcan de Agua, which elevates the spirit of any human who visit the place. The church of La Merced with its yellow facade is the most detailed and finely decorated building. The baroque style of this cathedral has many detailed carvings, such as fruits, vegetables, leaves and scrolls, all in white color. The scrolls are spiral shaped decorations used to decorate the hooks, which are at the top of the columns. The Baroque style was also called "Rococo," and was very typical of European design. In the central courtyard of the Church, there is a water fountain that is considered the largest in Latin America.

The Catedral of San José is located in the center of La Antigua Guatemala across from the Parque Central (central park), and it has a distinctive architecture of a historic colonial style. La Catedral of San Jose has several curved ornaments and a cherubim at the entrance and another one around the top of the center image, typical of the baroque style. The colorful, classic and colonial Convento Arco de Santa Catalina is a gateway between two parts of a convent of imprisonment, which nuns used to get from

one place to another without being seen. At the top of the arch is a clock that tells the time on both sides of the arch. The view of the arch is beautiful with blue skies, capricious clouds, and at the background is the majestic Volcan de Agua.

The reference center in Antigua Guatemala is the Parque Central (Central Park) with its beautiful fountain "Fountain of the Sirens." The benches in the shade under the trees offer visitors and residents a magnificent break and an opportunity to meet people of all nationalities. Also, there is musical entertainment from local groups, foreigners, and not to mention folkloric. Itinerant traders who craft their variety of merchandise attract tourists as well the photographers who are ready to capture the interesting moments.

The hotels in Antigua Guatemala are colonial style with big gardens and five star class hotels, some with museum features and an art gallery. The food in all the restaurants is really good. There are traditional, typical dishes and some international food. Walking around Antigua Guatemala is quite a ride: architecture, color and details are everywhere, this includes ceilings and cornices. The cornices are the projecting parts of the houses to prevent water flow through the entire wall, not only preventing deterioration of the walls, but also offering shelter to pedestrians on rainy days. Antigua Guatemala was the capital of the Spanish colonist in all Central America and is one of the most beautiful and historic city in the world.