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 | Antigua Guatemala Churches Reviews | 1 - 10 of 27 |  |
Another interesting combo with a functioning church attached to a much larger structure in ruins. The visit is hauntingly evocative. Within the church is the tomb of Hermano Pedro, a Saint who is credited with healings. Part of the visit includes rooms full of crutches and braces that became unnecessary once sufferers were cured. If you walk to the church of Hermano Pedro (not too far away), you will encounter handicapped and stricken people hoping to be cured too. Leave a Comment Directions: The Iglesia San Francisco is at the end of the 8a Calle Oriente. The Iglesia Hermano Pedro is one block South of the Catedral.
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On the park’s east side, the cathedral was founded in 1542, damaged by earthquakes many times, badly ruined in 1773 and only partially rebuilt between 1780 and 1820. In the 16th and early 17th centuries, Antigua’s churches had lavish baroque interiors. but most - including this one - lost this richness during post-earthquake rebuilding. The cathedral is being restored, but it will never regain its grandeur. Inside, a crypt contains the bones of Bernal Díaz del Castillo, historian of the Spanish conquest, who died in 1581.
The interior is unimpressive but holds a carving of Christ by Quirio Cataño, who also carved the famed Cristo Negro of Esquipulas. Leave a Comment Address: 5 Calle OrienteDirections: The ruins of the rest of the cathedral can be entered from 5 Calle Ote. (Ruins open daily 9am-5pm. Q3. Church open 9am-noon and 3-6pm. Free.)
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La Merced is a mustard colored church on a lively little square. The inside of the church is plain but attractive. In the monastery, you will find the largest fountain in Colonial America. Leave a Comment Address: At the Northern end of townDirections: From the famous Arco, looking North, you can see La Merced.
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Located on 1era Calle Pte., just three blocks north and a half-block west of the Central Park, the yellow and white La Merced church boasts the most intricately decorated facade in all of Antigua. Truly a work of art, a visit to the Iglesia La Merced, and to the Covento Mercedario next door, must be a part of any traveler's stay in Antigua. Entrance to the convent costs a mere Q3 ($0.39) - a great bargain.
It seems to me that I read somewhere that the fountain inside the Convento Mercedario is the largest colonial fountain in all of Central America. Worth a second look. If you would like to check out a few more pictures of the La Merced Church and Convent, please take a look at my "La Merced" Travelogue. Leave a Comment
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This is a large cathedral on the northern end of the Parque Central. It dates back to the 16th century, when Antigua was the capital of the region. Inside it has been lovingly restored, so you can see the beauty of the sculptures and woodwork inside. The rear is also under restoration, the portion that collapsed in the numerous earthquakes. It is an easy place to check out, being so close to the center of town. Address: North side of Parque Central
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The cathedral, as with many churches in the city, was heavily damaged by a series of earthquakes in the 16th and 17th centuries. Building began in 1542 but the original structure was demolished in 1688. The current edifice was built btween 1669 and 1680. The quake that broke camel’s back was in 1773 and lead to the relocation of the nation’s capital from Antigua to Guatemala City. Many of the damaged churches and cathedrals were left abandoned or reutilized but without rebuilding or removing the resulting rubble. The cathedral was renovated between 1780 and 1820 to include a scaled-down worship area that is in use today. This area was just the entry hall for the original structure.
The façade which faces the Parque Central has also been renovated and is beautifully lit at night. Visitors can tour the unrestored areas of the cathedral in which one can get an idea of how large the original cathedral was before the earthquake. The large boulders still in the spots where they fell also gives one and indication of why renovations were never made. Be sure to go down to the small underground chapel accessible via a set of stairs behind the former altar. Leave a Comment Address: 4a Avenida Sur on east side of the Parque Central
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This partially restored cathdral, located on the Parque Central, is small but lovely. It is being slowly restored. You can go to the back to get in to see the restoration underway and the ruins of the old Bishop's house. Leave a Comment Address: Parque Central
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The San Agustín Church isn’t as spectacular as many of Antigua’s churches, but it’s still worth a visit. Leave a Comment Directions: The San Agustín Church is located on the corner of 5ta Calle Pte. and 7ma Ave. (two blocks west of the central park).
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It is here that you can visit the tomb of and celebrate the work of Central America's only saint, Hermano Pedro. He lived during the 17th century and is known for his work for the poor, capped by his opening of a hospital specifically for their care. He was made a saint in 2002 which led to a visit to Guatemala by Pope John Paul II.
The church structures date from the 15th century but most of what can be seen (functional and ruins) is from later restorations. Inside the operating portion of the church are many monuments to Hermano Pedro including a striking mural on the south wall. His tomb is in an area on the north side of the church and features very nice wooden carvings on its sides. In the ruins area of the church is a museum dedicated to the saint with some of his personal belongings on display as well as great photo documentation of the Pope's visit in 2002. Be sure to check out the wall paintings to the right as you pass through the admission gate to the ruins portion of the grounds. Admission to the church and tomb is free.
Outside the church is a small crafts market with several stalls of textiles, masks, etc. Check these out and also Gigantes, the craft store across the street (7a Calle Oriente). Leave a Comment Address: Enter on 7a Calle Oriente or Calle de los PasosDirections: Just a block and a half east of the Iglesia y Convento de Santa Clara
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This pretty church is related to the work and life of Santo Hermano Pedro whose life's work can be seen in the Obras Sociales de Hermano Pedro just a few blocks away. It sits on a pretty park with another church on an adjacent side of the same park. The facade is yellow and white stucco and has interesting and pretty decorations. Of particular note is the nativity scene prominently located above the main entrance. Leave a Comment Address: Calle del Hermano PedroDirections: In the southeast corner of Antigua a block east of the Iglesia de San Francisco
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