Did you know...?
No other town has the charm and appeal of Antigua Guatemala?. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings, this town is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Central America. Founded in 1543, Antigua was once the third most important Spanish colon in the Americas. More than 30 monastic orders called Antigua home and built stunning monasteries, convents and cathedrals in the town.
The story of Antigua's eventful arrival to the site where it presently lies is a rich story that plays itself out like a novel full of adventure, conflict and passion. The first antigua was founded near the Maya city of Iximché. It was soon abandoned when the Kaqchiquel residents rebelled at the Spanish demands for gold. The Spanish moved their capital to the valley between the Agua and Fuego volcanoes. But fate was against them and the town was swept away by a flood. Soon after the town was moved to its present day location where it has stood for more than 400 years.
After a particularly devasting earthquake in 1773, the capital of Guatemala was moved to Guatemala City and Antigua was virtually abandoned. It wasn't until the late 1800s, that Antigua was virtually rediscovered and interest in the colonial city reawakened. The surrrounding countryside became the focus of coffee farmers and the valley once again became prosperous.
Named a "World Cultural Heritage Site" by UNESCO, Antigua brings visitors to its cobblestone streedts by the thousands. Some come to visit the town and wander through its ruins, while others come to take advantage of the Spanish Schools. No matter the visitor's reason for visiting Antigua, there are few that leave the town without heaving a sight of regret. Its picturesque streets, richly textured ruins and friendly residents work their way into the heart of any visitor and remain there for quite a while.
ANTIGUA TODAY
Today's Antigua is a cosmopolitan town that somehow manages to conserve its small town ambiance. Its streets are quiet enough for artists to set up their easels and attempt to paint or sketch their perspective of a particular church to paper.. Another facet to this town is the educational scene. Aside from a wealth of Spanish Schools, the town boasts a fine library and research institute for visiting archaeologists. Here scholars may travel back in time and read about the many churches, convents and homes that once bustled with colonial activity.
Visitors will also find the town to be a cultural center. A biennial arts festival is hosted here and showcases ballet, opera, symphonic orchestras and theater. In recent years, a host of restaurants and hotels have opened their doors on these quiet streets. While all hold to the small town atmosphere, they welcome an international crowd of both vacation and business travelers.

There are plenty of activities for the visitor to experience while staying in Antigua. The town itself offers a wealth of churches and ruins where you can while away the hours. Visit a bevy of museums that showcase original colonial art, silverwork, religious statues, ceramics, ironwork, books, and more. For a more active way to spend a day in the area of Antigua, take advantage of the manyu tour operators that run out of here. Mountain bike tours in the surrounding hilly countryside area a great way to explore the area. Outlying towns offer fabulous shopping for those interested in textiles, ceramic and woodwork. Those eager for adventure can scale the Agua volcano for a dramatic view from its summit.

 
SEMANA SANTA or HOLY WEEK in ANTIGUA
Holy Week, in Antigua is a truly memorable experience. For its centuries-old traditions, for its beauty and complexity, Antigua shines among all the towns and villages that celebrate Holy Week. The story of processions in Antigua dates back to the early 1500s and began with the arrival of Don Pedro de Alvarado from Spain. After a series of calamities, which included the death of Pedro de Alvarado and the virtual destruction of the town by flooding, city officials took it upon themselves to move the town to its present day location.
Today, Antigua becomes a mecca of sorts for Guatemala's faithful during Easter celebration. Activities begin on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, and reach their climax on Good Friday when the quiet town's streets are thronged with solemn spectators. It is well known to the locals that if you want to get around on Easter Sunday and witness the breathtaking imagery of a procession, you'd better get out there early. And if you're in a car, fortget it. The procession routes shut down all traffic. Only pedestrians are allowed. Purple bows are tied onto window ironwork and often signify that is in on a processional route. Carefully designed, hand -made carpets cover the cobblestone streets. Made from dyed sawdust and sand, flowers and fruits, the carpets, or "alfombras", are veritable works of art that are brief in their beauty. Templates are made from wood or thick cardboard and the painstaking process of carefully designing the carpets begins hours before the procession.
Residents and parishioners alike share coffee and conversation, as the temporaty artists lay on low-slung boards that allow them access to their grand cobblestone canvas. The atmosphere is truly unique. Not only is the air charged with anticipation, but also it is redolent with the fragance of flowers and copal incense. The crowd's murmur reaches a crescendo as the procession rounds the corner. The spectacular carpet with bands of yellow, magenta and purple disappears under the shuffling feet of the beareres. Signs of the cross and genuflectes flow through the spectators like waves on a pond.
Massive wooden platforms bear the statues of Jesus of Nazarethe and the Virgin Mary. The bearers walk in a ponderous synchronically as they proudly take the figure on its route. The floats are decorated with colorful flowers and richly textured fabrics; the regal statues are immaculately dressed and adorned. The bearers of the floats are called "cucuruchos" and are often the same ones that carry a particular float year after year. But hearing shifts are open to all weeks in advance in preparation for a procession. Many times the bearers are doing penance and seek atonement by carrying the heavy platform for blocks. All bearers pay a small fee to the church to the privilege and the money is used to decorate the saint and the float. Each church organizes its procession and its departs with much pomp and circumstance on its own route. Often the procession trundle for hours through the streets with bearers trading places at the end of every block.
Locals and travelers alike can enjoy the festivities of Holy Week in Antigua. On every Sunday during Lent, several churches organize small processions. On Good Friday, onlookers bear witness to a Roman soldier as he reads the sentence of crucifixion for Jesus. Most of the country's residents have a holiday from work from the Wednesday before Easter Sunday until the following Monday. During this time, residents take advantage of the days off to follow processsion from their church arround the city streets. These processions are celebrated throughout the country in even the smallest town or village. Allthough all the celebrations are beautiful, Antigua rises above them not only for the elaborate processions, but also for the spectacular surroundings. The ruins of ancient churches, monasteries and convents provide the most stunning backdrop to these passionate pageants