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Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Antigua Guatemala
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Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Antigua Guatemala

Nuestra Señora de la Merced tips and photos posted by real travelers and Antigua Guatemala locals.

1 Calle Poniente and 6 Av. Norte
• 19 Photos
• 9 Reviews

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Nuestra Señora de la Merced: La Merced
  • Tip Rating:
  • bellatrix
  • By bellatrix on April 18, 2003
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by bellatrix
  • La Merced, Antigua - Antigua Guatemala
    La Merced, Antigua
    by bellatrix
    The Iglesia y Convento de Nuestra Señora de La Merced is Antigua’s most striking colonial church. La Merced’s construction began in 1548. Improvements continued until 1717, when the church was ruined by earthquakes. Reconstruction was completed in 1767, but in 1773 earthquake struck again and the convent was destroyed. Repairs to the church were made from 1850 to 1855; its baroque façade dates from this period. Inside the ruins is a fountain 27m in diameter - said to be the largest in Central America. Admission to the convent costs US$0.25 and is well worth it.

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  • Directions: From the Parque Central, walk three long blocks up 5a Avenida Norte, passing beneath the Arco de Santa Catarina. At the north end of 5a Avenida is La Merced.
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    Nuestra Señora de la Merced: Classic Point of Interest
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  • HasTowelWillTravel
  • Updated By HasTowelWillTravel on May 23, 2008
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by HasTowelWillTravel
  • The view of Merced - Antigua Guatemala
    The view of Merced
    by HasTowelWillTravel
    La Merced is a classic destination in Antigua, and it is no surprise why. It is a beautiful colonial church, set at the outskirts of the old city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The golden facade, with its intricte carvings and reliefs, are an invitation to step in and be a witness to the history of this town. Breathe slowly and drink in the ambiance and reverence as you pass the pews... enjoy your step back into history.

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    Nuestra Señora de la Merced: La Iglesia de la Merced
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  • Ken_Weaver
  • Updated By Ken_Weaver on March 1, 2003
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by Ken_Weaver
  • Front of the Church - Antigua Guatemala
    Front of the Church
    by Ken_Weaver
    The very beautiful Iglesia de la Merced was built in 1540. I was there on a weekend afternoon and there was lots of activity...infant baptisms. I did go in and saw many displays of the colonial times. I could not take pictures because of the worship activity. The facade in the picture appeared to be freshly restored.

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    Nuestra Señora de la Merced: Iglesia y Convento de Nuestra Senora de la Merced
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  • Hopkid
  • Updated By Hopkid on November 25, 2007
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by Hopkid
  • Nuestra Señora de la Merced - Antigua Guatemala
    by Hopkid, 4 more photos
    Just a block north of the Arco de Santa Catalina, La Merced has a beautiful yellow and white terra cotta baroque facade. Construction was originally begun in 1548 but has undergone many restorations due to earthquake damage. The main part of the church has been restored and is still in use today. Other portions of the grounds remain in ruins although it has been cleaned up and no debris can be found lying around like at many other ruin sites in Antigua.

    Within the monestary area is a huge fountain, reputed to be the largest in Central America. The fountain is in the shape of a water lily which is thought to be a symbol of power among the Maya. This has caused some to believe that Mayan laborers may have had an influence in the construction of the fountain and the church.

    There is a small fee to enter the grounds. Depending on the time of day and the day of the week the church area may not be open to visitors. Check with the person taking entry fees on accesibility.

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  • Directions: At the corner of Calle del Manchen and 1a Calle Poniente, at the north end of 5a Avenida Norte
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    Nuestra Señora de la Merced: La Merced Church
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  • CC81
  • By CC81 on February 11, 2005
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by CC81
  • Nuestra Señora de la Merced - Antigua Guatemala
    by CC81
    Beautiful Church built in the XVIII century.

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  • Directions: Antigua Guatemala
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    Nuestra Señora de la Merced: La Merced Convent
  • Tip Rating:
  • CC81
  • By CC81 on February 11, 2005
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by CC81
  • La Merced Convent - Antigua Guatemala
    La Merced Convent
    by CC81
    The largest fountain in Antigua

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  • Directions: Antigua Guatemala
  • Other Contact: Q3.00 p/p = US$0.40
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    Nuestra Señora de la Merced: arco de santa catarina and la...
    cbeaujean
  • Updated By cbeaujean on February 1, 2005
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by cbeaujean
  • arco de sta catarina - Antigua Guatemala
    arco de sta catarina
    by cbeaujean
    arco de santa catarina and la merced church

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    Nuestra Señora de la Merced: Nuestra Senora de la Merced
    easterntrekker
  • Updated By easterntrekker on March 21, 2007
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by easterntrekker
  • Nuestra Senora de la Merced - Antigua Guatemala
    Nuestra Senora de la Merced
    by easterntrekker, 2 more photos
    This beautiful yellow church is the most eye catching of all . The white elaborate lacy trim reminded me of frosting on a cake . It was originally built in 1548 and destroyed in 1717 and eventually rebuilt . It somehow survived the big quake of 1773.

    We were lucky enough to see a horsedrawn wedding procession on the Sat we went by.

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    Nuestra Señora de la Merced: Nuestra Señora de la Merced
    Pieter11
  • By Pieter11 on November 21, 2007
  • Antigua Guatemala Page by Pieter11
  • Nuestra Señora de la Merced - Antigua Guatemala
    Nuestra Señora de la
    Merced
    by Pieter11,
    4 more photos
    When you go north from the Parque Central, and you go underneath the Arco de Santa Catalina, you will automatically end up at the most beautiful church (if not the most beautiful building overall) in Antigua: the Nuestra Señora de la Merced.

    This church has its origin in 1548, when the first construction began. Again this construction doesn't excist anymore: in 1717 another earthquake destroyed the church. The reconstructions began soon after this disaster and were completed in 1767, but only a few years afterwards, another earthquake occured and heavily damaged the newly finished church.

    Again the reconstruction started, but this time it took a long time before they started: between 1850 and 1855 the building was made into the one we can see at this moment.

    The most striking part of the church is its fantastic, yellow front facade. Very detailed sculptures and statues cover the complete wall which dominates the nice cobblestoned square in front of it.

    Inside the church is less impressive then on the outside: besides some statues, the most interesting thing to see to my opinion are the fantastically dressed up Maya-people inside.

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  • Directions: From the Parque Central, follow the 5 Av. Norte to the end. Here you will see the church from its rightside.
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