Guatemala City Things to Do

I love the work of Efrain Recinos a muralist, sculptor, engineer and architect, who among many other buildings designed the National Theatre in Guatemala City, so i specially liked this relief depicting a woman located in front of the National Library.

4 more images

Located in a large rationalist building in the central city park, the library has been moved several times at different locations due to earthquakes. It was finally located in this place in September 1957, it is worth the visit just to see the abstract concrete reliefs on the facade work of Guatemalan Artist Efraín Recinos. The building contains 150,000 volumes of books and newspapers.

1 more image

North of the Cathedral is the Archbishop's Palace, built between 1706 and 1711, which retains only the entrance gate and the stone frames of the doors of the west front with their coats of arms. Originally the building had two levels and a gallery that overlooked the square. It is an interesting visit, but you have to ask permission to enter.

4 more images

This school was founded in 1781 by Archbishop Cayeteano Francos y Monroy, five years after the transfer of the former capital of Santiago de los Caballeros (Antigua) to the valley de la Ermita, Is a beautiful colonial building located next to the Metropolitan Cathedral and currently works as a school. It is interesting to visit because it is part of the complex that includes the cathedral and the archbishop

3 more images

This building built in 1793 using the same style of the constructions of Antigua is maybe the oldest private house in the city. It has a magnificent entrance portico, and actually is home of a private school. The brigadier Gabino Gainza one of the leaders of the independence from Spain lived here when it was negociated.

3 more images

The Civic Center was designed in the early 50's, located between Zones 1 and 4, houses several government offices: Town hall, Public finance ministry, the Courthouse, and the Bank of Guatemala. Several of these buildings are decorated with magnificent murals of famous Guatemalan artists. Here are some details of a mural designed by Roberto Gonzalez Goiry sculpted in concrete located in the Social Security building.

4 more images

Built in 1813 this Neo classical style church and convent houses most of the Baroque altars brought from the original church in Antigua Guatemala. During the governement of Justo Rufino Barrios some church properties (like this one) were nationalized, and the convent became the headquarters of the National Police. In 1999 the property was returned to the church and restored. It´s now home to the Museum de la Merced, a four room museum with paintings and sculptures dated from the 17th to the 19th century. The organ has been called the most beautiful in the whole country (was played in the 1813 church inaguration). A must see in the city.

The Museo Ixchel has a remarkable collection of Guatemalan textiles. Besides the beauty and variety of these textiles, the exhibits should be of special interest to those who are attracted to the stuff that is offered to tourists in places like Antigua, around Lake Atitlan and Xela. At least, before you buy, you will have seen what "the real thing" looks like, and how it has evolved over time, and you will have seen pictures and samples of the designs traditionally associated with each different part of the country. The museum also has a good store. One of its functions is to promote textile arts as a live tradition, so whatever you buy there goes to assist the people who make it.

For more details of their exhibits and collections, look at http://www.museoixchel.org/ Call 502/2331-3622 to make sure the museum is open when you want to go.

Next to the Ixchel Museum is the Popol Vuh, a very good archaelogical museum.