Antigua Guatemala Map

Description: This map shows streets, houses, buildings, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, monuments, museums, parking lots, shops, churches, points of interest, and parks in Antigua Guatemala.

Antigua Guatemala (officially La Antigua Guatemala) is a city in the central highlands of Guatemala, located in the Panchoy Valley at an elevation of approximately 1,530 metres (5,020 ft) above sea level. It serves as the capital of the Sacatepéquez Department.

The city was founded in 1543 under the name Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, following the destruction of the previous capital, Ciudad Vieja, by a volcanic lahar from Volcán Agua in 1541. For over two centuries, it functioned as the capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, which encompassed much of present-day Central America and the Mexican state of Chiapas.

Antigua Guatemala is surrounded by three volcanoes: Volcán Agua (3,760 m), Volcán Fuego (3,763 m), and Volcán Acatenango (3,976 m). Volcán Fuego remains one of the most active volcanoes in Central America.

On 29 July 1773, the city was severely damaged by a series of earthquakes known as the Santa Marta earthquakes. The Spanish colonial authorities subsequently relocated the capital to the present-day Guatemala City in 1776, leaving many structures in ruin. The abandoned city was officially renamed La Antigua Guatemala ("The Old Guatemala") to distinguish it from the new capital.

In 1979, Antigua Guatemala was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its exceptionally well-preserved Spanish Baroque architecture, colonial urban layout, and a large number of 16th–18th century monuments. The city's grid street plan, established during the colonial period, remains largely intact.

The city is internationally known for its elaborately staged Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions, considered among the largest and most elaborate in Latin America. Intricate street carpets (alfombras) made of colored sawdust, flowers, and pine needles are prepared along procession routes.

Main sights in Antigua Guatemala