Historic Center of Guatemala

Most modern cities have been built on ancient cities, except those that are built on uninhabited territories pushing through nature.

Over time the architecture is changing: old houses are destroyed and new have their place.

In this process there are traces foot architectural showcase the best of the styles of each era.

Some of the houses and buildings become monuments for their historical value, not only for its beauty but for the important events that happened under their roofs. Therefore, the Historic Center is an important historical tourist attraction in Guatemala.

Original layout of Guatemala City

Destroyed after Antigua Guatemala by the earthquakes of Santa Marta, studies began in 1773 to BUILD the new town in the Valle de la Ermita. Three years later (1776) begins mobilization and outlines the City.

He soon formed the first areas occupying almost the end of what is now the Historical Centre by 1821 was well populated and defined area that continued to grow. From 1900 to date is preserved almost intact the original path with its streets and avenues, straight and parallel around a central park surrounded by traditional buildings, including the government palace and cathedral.

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Styles of the Historic Center

The City of Guatemala was the center of political activities and in many ways economical. Its buildings are almost all architectural styles dress finale ODR nineteenth century. The facades and interiors today to show the art deco, baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and art nouveau among others.

Earthquakes of 1917 and 1976

La Antigua Guatemala as the new city suffered from earthquakes, this time in the year 1917 and 1976. This affected many buildings, some were uninhabitable and others completely destroyed. Some important they stood for the reconstruction and refurbishment with new jobs, the City of Guatemala remained in place.

Born Historical Center

The town grew and absorbed other remote areas important business centers. The center was not entirely the sole protagonist in the history of Guatemala, but it was still an important piece, both historical and architectural.

The buildings began to surround himself with some new styles of modern construction, but to preserve this treasure, was defined the historic center of Guatemala, it is not just a set of buildings but a well defined with a specific law in terms of construction and maintenance architecture, similar to today governing the construction of La Antigua Guatemala.

hasta el margen que forman las mismas calles por la 12 avenida zona 1 . The Historic Center of Guatemala runs from the 2nd to 18 street at 1st avenue to the outside zone 1 forming the same streets at 12 Avenue Zone 1.

Mixture of modern and antique styles

The Historic Center is now a mix of modern styles with the original styles of construction. As an ancient city in the heart of a modern. Walking through the streets reveals interesting and valuable details such as if you walked by La Antigua Guatemala. Its buildings, some schools of administration, government, economics and art, are kept in operation to date while others have become public museums or private.

We invite you to learn more

In addition to our travel notes, we now have two new sections in which we will be sharing stories and photographs of the historic center with its details and curiosities. And also post important chapters of the history of Guatemala .

With this new material we invite you to travel without going away ... walking the streets of the City and Guatemala.