We arrived in the freight port of Puerto Quetzal in
Guatemala but we actually spent the day at the world heritage site of
Antigua. It was a very long trip over
poor roads which are still being rebuilt after a cyclone.
We spent the day walking around the town, mainly looking
at the architecture in this former Spanish capital.
Out first stop was at St. Peter’s church and
hospital. We walked around the
cloisters, where the religious artefacts are still intact but the rooms are now
used for a variety of medical clinics.
St Peter’s Church.
We visited the cathedral which was destroyed in an
earthquake in 1773. Some if the arches
remain but the domes have collapsed.
The cathedral.
The masonry
lies where it fell.
Rob in a section of the old cathedral.
We crossed to the old town square which was a thriving
place with local Maya women selling weaving and lots more.
Gail in the
town square.
We looked at the government offices and other old
buildings from the Spanish period. Then
we went to the Arch of San Catalina that extended across a cobbled road. It was built to give nuns from the cloistered
convent, access to an extension on the other side. Just up the street is the still functioning
La Merced Church and monastery.
It was a long way to go to visit Antigua but it was a
historic city not to be missed.
1 comment:
What a beautiful city!
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