Exploring Antigua

Antigua is characterized by its pastel facades, terracotta roofs, cobblestone streets, many churches, cathedrals, and ruins, and the three dramatic volcanoes surrounding it in all directions.

On our first day in Antigua, we hiked up Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross) to enjoy the views over the old colonial town. For over 200 years, between the 1500s and 1700s, Antigua served as the capitol of all of Guatemala, and for a much shorter period of time, when all of Central America was united as one country (until an earthquake razed the city in the 1770s), Antigua also served as the capitol of all of Central America. In 1979, the whole town of Antigua was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.



The following are just a few shots from a two-day break-dancing competition being held just half a block from our hostel in the large courtyard of one of Antigua's many cathedrals:

While many of the churches and cathedrals are still in wonderful condition, others have fallen into ruin (due to the multitude of earthquakes that have hit Antigua over the years), but are nonetheless open for viewing. In many cases, the ruins are just as stunning as their still-standing peers.