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Guatemala City, Guatemala (February - March 2007)

Guatemala City is the capital city of Guatemala and the largest city in Central America. The capital of Guatemala has moved many times: In 1524, the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado conquered Guatemala and founded the first capital called Santiago de Guatemala. After several revolts by the indigenous people, it was moved, in 1527, to the Almononga Valley at the foot of the Volcan de Agua (Volcano of Water) to what is now a small village called the Ciudad Vieja (Old City). In 1541, an earthquake and mudslide destroyed the town. Once more, the capital was moved to the Panchoy Valley, still near the Volcan de Agua to what is today, Antigua. In 1773, a series of earthquakes leveled the capital again. In 1776, the Spanish captain general ordered that the capital be moved to a plain supposedly free from earthquakes to the present day Guatemala City. While once hailed as the jewel of Central America, Guatemala City has lost its luster and retains little of its colonial charm. Also, it is not a very safe city. Since it is the country's transportation hub, you are likely to end up there, but the ancient ruins, flamboyant markets, colonial architecture and spectacular mountains and lakes are located elsewhere in Guatemala.
Guatemala City cover page.
Guatemala City cover page.		 Map of Guatemala with the star indicating Guatemala City.
Map of Guatemala with the star indicating Guatemala City.		 The main post office (El Correo) was constructed during General Jorge Ubico's administration (1937-1940).
The main post office (El Correo) was constructed during General Jorge Ubico's administration (1937-1940).		 It's eclectic style is characteristic of the Ubico Period with Guatemalan colonial architectural elements.
It's eclectic style is characteristic of the Ubico Period with Guatemalan colonial architectural elements.
The Arch of Santa Catalina is an Antigua-inspired pedestrian bridge connecting the post office with another building.
The Arch of Santa Catalina is an Antigua-inspired pedestrian bridge connecting the post office with another building.		 View of the Palacio Nacional (National Palace) in Plaza Mayor de la Constitución (also called Parque Central) in Guatemala City.
View of the Palacio Nacional (National Palace) in Plaza Mayor de la Constitución (also called Parque Central) in Guatemala City.		 View of a fountain in Plaza Mayor in front of the National Palace.
View of a fountain in Plaza Mayor in front of the National Palace.		 Also constructed during the Ubico administration, the National Palace contains beautiful murals and stained glass windows.
Also constructed during the Ubico administration, the National Palace contains beautiful murals and stained glass windows.
The National Palace was the first building in Guatemala City built with an anti-seismic system.
The National Palace was the first building in Guatemala City built with an anti-seismic system.		 Since it was late in the day, these soldiers were taking down the Guatemalan flag in front of the National Palace.
Since it was late in the day, these soldiers were taking down the Guatemalan flag in front of the National Palace.		 Each soldier took an end of the flag.
Each soldier took an end of the flag.		 Then, they carefully folded it in a ritualistic fashion.
Then, they carefully folded it in a ritualistic fashion.
This bandstand is located in Centennial Park half a block away from Plaza Mayor. A concert was about to take place.
This bandstand is located in Centennial Park half a block away from Plaza Mayor. A concert was about to take place.		 View of the Metropolitan Cathedral at dusk in Plaza Mayor.
View of the Metropolitan Cathedral at dusk in Plaza Mayor.		 View of the cathedral with the Plaza Mayor fountain in the foreground.
View of the cathedral with the Plaza Mayor fountain in the foreground.		 The original fountain was installed in 1789. The current fountain was designed by the sculptor Rudolpho Galeotti Torres.
The original fountain was installed in 1789. The current fountain was designed by the sculptor Rudolpho Galeotti Torres.
The neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral was inaugurated with a sacred mass on the eve of Sacred Thursday, 1815
The neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral was inaugurated with a sacred mass on the eve of Sacred Thursday, 1815		 Side view of the cathedral at dusk with the moon overhead.
Side view of the cathedral at dusk with the moon overhead.		 View of the dome behind Metropolitan Cathedral in Guatemala City.
View of the dome behind Metropolitan Cathedral in Guatemala City.		 On my way back to the inn where I was staying, I passed by the Arch of Santa Catalina again and got this photo of it at night.
On my way back to the inn where I was staying, I passed by the Arch of Santa Catalina again and got this photo of it at night.
Graffiti of George Bush in Guatemala City. He was arriving there the following week.
Graffiti of George Bush in Guatemala City. He was arriving there the following week.		 I took a taxi to the Popol Vuh Museum located at the campus of Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala City.
I took a taxi to the Popol Vuh Museum located at the campus of Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala City.		 It has an excellent collection of archaeological items from the pre-Hispanic Mayan world and a collection of colonial items.
It has an excellent collection of archaeological items from the pre-Hispanic Mayan world and a collection of colonial items.		 The Ixchel Museum is located right next to the Popol Vuh Museum in Guatemala City.
The Ixchel Museum is located right next to the Popol Vuh Museum in Guatemala City.
It has a large collection of traditional costumes and information on weaving and dying techniques.
It has a large collection of traditional costumes and information on weaving and dying techniques.		 I stayed in a wonderful inn in Guatemala City called the Posada Belen.
I stayed in a wonderful inn in Guatemala City called the Posada Belen.		 The dining room of the Pasada Belen. It originally was a colonial home (built in 1873) that was converted into an inn.
The dining room of the Pasada Belen. It originally was a colonial home (built in 1873) that was converted into an inn.		 The Posada Belen has a wonderful ambiance. It is also filled with museum-quality Guatemalan artifacts.
The Posada Belen has a wonderful ambiance. It is also filled with museum-quality Guatemalan artifacts.
The Posada Belen also has an interior garden where one can sit and relax.
The Posada Belen also has an interior garden where one can sit and relax.		 View of the hammock in the Posada Belen's garden.
View of the hammock in the Posada Belen's garden.		 This was my bedroom at the Posada Belen with its Guatemalan decor.
This was my bedroom at the Posada Belen with its Guatemalan decor.

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