 | Antigua Guatemala Antigua Ruins Reviews | 11 - 20 of 40 |  |
A bit off the beaten path and well away from the center of Antigua, this small structure is considered one of the oldest remaining religious ruins. The Chapel of the Holy Cross was built in the late 17th century. Only the ornate facade remains but from what is left one can tell that this small structure was once a grand piece of religious architecture. The area in front of the chapel has been restored to include a stage (with the chapel facade as a stunning backdrop) and amphitheater seating for cultural events and concerts. Leave a Comment Address: Calle ChipilapaDirections: On the southeast corner of Antigua
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A smaller church ruin set amongst pretty vegetation across the street from the Hotel Antigua, San Jose El Viejo was constructed in only 21 years (much less time compared to some of the other large churches in Antigua) ending in 1761. It was very badly damaged in the 1773 earthquake and was left unused until it was restored in 1942. It is closed to visitors but is apparently used for special occasions as we were lucky enough to happen by when the gates were unlocked and a group were setting up tables and chairs for some kind of event. Otherwise I would not have been able to take photos of the interior or get the history from a plaque inside the church. Leave a Comment Address: Calle de la Sin VenturaDirections: At the western end of 8a Calle Poniente across the street from the Hotel Antigua
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Antigua is a great town to walk around it as is compact and built on a grid pattern. As one walks around the visitor will pass many church ruins, the result of a major earthquake in 1773 which led to the relocation of the colonial capital from Antigua to Guatemala City. Many of these churches were never restored or reopened, with gigantic pieces of the fallen structure still lying where they fell over 200 years ago.
San Agustin is one such church and like many that haven't been restored it is fenced off and closed to the public. However the facade like many of the 18th century churches is interesting even if many of the sculpted figures have long since been removed. Leave a Comment Address: 7a Avenida SurDirections: At the NW corner of 7a Avenida Sur and 5a Calle Poniente
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Friars of the Merced order were responsible for this structure, built in 1757. However it was closed a few years later when it was discovered that it did not have a royal license from the King of Spain to operate. As a result it was taken over by the Spanish government of King Carlos III which eventually converted its use to that of a customs house. It was later destroyed in the 1773 earthquake.
The small facade can be viewed up close and without paying the entry fee on the west side of the complex. A small fee is required to enter the grounds and to go inside of the remaining structure which includes the cloister surrounding a pretty garden with an octogonal fountain. It is a small set of ruins and you can decide if it's worth the entry fee by looking in from the entry kiosk before paying. We paid to go in and were glad we did. Leave a Comment Address: Alameda Santa LuciaDirections: At the corner of Alameda Santa Lucia and Calle de la Real Aduana, a block east of La Recoleccion.
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The facade of this ruined church is stunning with its intricately carved columns. It is also impressive due to the amount of damage that it have obviously sustained. A look through the locked iron gate reveals a large amount of rubble within. Built in 1728 it was completely destroyed in 1773 and lies in the same state as it was in immediately following that disaster over 240 years ago. A traditional Mayan craft market sets up directly in front of the church each day. Leave a Comment Address: 3a Avenida NorteDirections: On the west side of 3a Avenida Norte between 2a and 3a Calle Oriente
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The facade of this ruined church is unique because of the fresco work that is still visible with fairly vibrant and sometimes faint coloring. The original organization here included a convent, school, and the church and was founded in 1582. In 1767 the Jesuitas were forced to leave the country and the buildings were vacant until a textile factory opened up shop here in the 19th century.
As with other structures of the time, La Compania de Jesus suffered from the series of major earthquakes in the 17th and 18th centuries. Reconstructions continued until the great earthquake of 1773. Following the textile factory, public offices were established here and at one point the Mercado de Artesanias was also located here. The former convent portion of the building is currently (2007) used as is the seat of the Center of Formation of the Spanish Cooperation. Visitors can go in and see the restored areas of the convent which from photos I've seen since my trip it would be well worth seeing. Leave a Comment Address: 6a Avenida NorteDirections: On the NW corner of 6a Avenida Norte and 4a Calle Poniente
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The ruins here are among the most impressive and easily accessible in Antigua. Located in the northwest corner of town, the fallen walls and ceiling of the church lie where they fell during the earthquake of 1773. Upon examining the fallen boulder-sized brick and plaster work one can tell that the Antiquenos took the seismic threat very seriously as the walls are several feet thick. Its setting beyond an expanse of lawn upon entering the grounds after paying the fee is impressive. Visitors are free to walk amongst the ruins inside and outside of the church.
On our visit we were the only ones there which made for a nice, tranquillo visit. There isn't a whole lot to see except the ruins but they are impressive and worth the entry fee in my opinion. Leave a Comment Address: Calle de los RecoletosDirections: A the end of Avenida de la Recoleccion at Calle de los Recoletos
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Established by an order of Capuchin nuns in the mid-1700s, the grounds are well-maintained while restoration efforts continue to this day. Seriously damanged during the 1773 earthquake, the convent was abandonded. The interior grounds are pretty with well-groomed gardens and interior rooms with interesting architectural features. Of main interest are the nuns rooms or cells which are situated around a circular courtyard on the second floor. The rooms are small but have their own bathroom and study area. There is a renovated room which depicts what it must have been like when in use during the 18th century. Leave a Comment Address: Calle de CapuchinasDirections: At the northwest corner of Calle de Capuchinas and Calle de Santo Domingo
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Originally established by an order of nuns from Mexico, the current structure was built between 1703 and 1734. Heavily damaged in 1773 it was abandoned and further damaged by another earthquake in 1874. The impressive amount that remains gives visitors an indication of the largeness of the facility when it was still in operation. The exterior facade of the church behind the outside walls includes intricate and ornate carvings and figures. The cloister area is also pretty and tranquil with a small fountain in the center.
This is one of the more impressive of the ruins in Antigua and definitely worth a visit. Leave a Comment Address: 2a Avenida SurDirections: Across the street from Plaza de la Union and the public laundry on 2a Avenida Sur
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Not sure of the many names of the ruins, but there are a few on the upper east side of Antigua. Leave a Comment Directions: Take primera avenida north.
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- Posada El Antano
6a Avenida Norte No 36, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala - Hotel Casa Mia
Yeni Mahalle Jan Zakari Caddesi No:1 Avanos, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
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on November 29, 2007
on August 12, 2004
