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“THE COLONIAL CITY OF ANTIGUA”

The first Spanish capital of Guatemala was founded on July 27th, 1524 in the well-known city of the Kakchiqueles, today Iximche. It was the capital until November 1527 when it was abandoned due to the rebellion of it natives. Then, the Spaniards chose the closeness of Agua Volcano (water Volcano) to construct their city. But during the night of September 10th, 1541 an avalanche of rocks and mud coming from the volcano destroyed the city which already had some temples, a cathedral, a palace and several constructions. On March 10th, 1543 they officially settle in the valley of Panchoy thanks to the fertile grounds, the climate and the agreeable vegetation and there was born the city of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala. Planned by an Italian architect, the city features a city center with a beautiful Central Plaza. From here the streets spreads out in straight angles, adorned with fountains and plazas.This city also has almost 30 Churches. Antigua was considered one of three most important cities of the New World along with Mexico and Lima and it is believed that it had approximately 80.000 inhabitantsa. continue story

Discover the beautiful Colonial City of Antigua and its surroundings with some of the attractive tours of EnjoyGuatemala.

Guatemala has all a traveler could dream of

There is the authentic Indian culture with lively and colorful markets like in Solola, Chichicastenango and San Francisco El Alto. And there is the Mayan culture in the North too. Tikal has definitely one of the best Maya sites in the world. A side trip just over the border to Copan is possible also. Colonial architecture can be seen in the romantic Colonial City of Antigua. Nature in Guatemala is incredibly diverse: there is the rainforest of Peten, the cloud forest of the Verapaz region, Carribean and Pacific coast and the volcanoes around Antigua, Atitlan, and also Quetzaltenango. Deer, monkeys, and peccaries are frequent, especially in low altitudes that are barely populated. Other wild animals, like the jaguar, tapir, and puma are more difficult to spot, but with a little bit of luck you might see one of them. Guatemala also has crocodiles, snakes, lizards and the temacuil. The variety of birds is extremely rich; some examples are: the resplendent quetzal, toucan, coal-miner, cardinal, humming birds and king fisher.

Discovery of Mayan sauna

Last week Guatemalan Archaeologists found steam baths and a well conserved multicolored floor in the Mayan city Abaj Takalik, in the South coast and close to Retalhuleu.

"This site of Olmec origin occupies an area of six and half square kilometers”, informed Miguel Orrego, administrative technical codirector of the national project Abaj Takalik. "When we found the sauna and the taxcal floor we had to clean the effects of hurrican Stan first. He also explained that the Mayans did not count with the necessary technology to forecasts for natural phenomena such as tropical storms and hurricanes.

Classic delayed period
The technician said that the sauna dates from the Delayed Classic period and worked with underground drainages. "The volcanic sand layer of Volcano Santiaguito is responsible for the good preservation", referred Christa Schieber, scientific technical coordinator of the project.

New route to Guatemala

Mexicana Airlines announced that they are going to have a third daily frequency for their popular route Guatemala - Mexico - Guatemala, beginning on November 1, 2005. With this third frequency, Mexicana Airlines will be operating 21 frequencies weekly.

Fernando Del Cid, General Manager of Mexicana Airlines for Guatemala, indicated that the third frequency will operate as result of the activities and planning resolved together with the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT) in the agreement of promotion of Guatemala, signed in August 2004.

Continued: The Colonial City

On January 2nd, 1776 it was given up by real decree due to the destruction caused by the earthquake suffered three years earlier. Nevertheless this was not the end of Antigua Guatemala! Since then and still today monuments and beautiful houses are being fixed step by step. Actually it is one of the most visited places of Guatemala due to his beauty and his natural attractions, the same city who attracted the conquistadors 500 years ago. Visiting Antigua Guatemala is going back in time! Its cobblestone streets, old houses, excellent coffees, Plazas, the colonial courtyards and its classic surroundings will make you dream and fall in love of this small city. Antigua Guatemala has some of the most exclusive hotels in the country, located in old Colonial houses. These small mansions combine luxury and elegance with the glorious past of the city. If you travel to Guatemala, Antigua Guatemala is waiting for you, located just 45 km away from the Guatemala City airport. You will discover a world of peace and beauty you will never forget and surely it will make you return.

RABINAL ACHI DECLARED WORLD PATRIMONY BY UNESCO.

UNESCO declared the Guatemalan Dance “Rabinal Achi” as World Patrimony in Paris, France on Saturday.

Achí Xajooj Tun or “Baile del Tun” is the mayan name of this dance which is from Rabinal, Baja Verapaz. Rabinal Achi represents society of the periods between 900 AD and 1524AD. This period is known as PostClassic period. The story of the dance, is a dispute between the Quiches and Rabinachi. It is possible to witness this dance during the Rabinal fair in January of every year. It is a great honor for Guatemala to get this and especially for all the indigenous communities. This award will allow this piece to be conserved and recognized for all the world as one of the great traditions of the mayan culture. This is the only piece in Latinamerica which is conserved in its original form, without any changes of phrases from european origen. This piece also reflects a historial fact and it also represents the political structure of the time. This dance has survived for centuries. The Rabinal achi was presented clandestinly from 1625 to 1856. In the year 1856, Brasseur de Bourbourg witnessed it in person because he had already read the text. The Achí Xajooj Tun has been pass down orally from generation to generation. Brasseur de Bourbourg translated it to french. Achí Xajooj Tun, when traslated by Bourbourg became known as “Rabinal Achil”.