The colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala – 2016. Antigua is in the Department of Sacatepéquez and is a well preserved colonial city with lots of churches, parks, squares and ruins. Because its main industry is tourism there is an abundance of handmade products and souvenirs available and some very good small hotels and restaurants.
Antigua was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1543 and was the seat of the military governor of the Spanish colony of Guatemala until 1773 when it was hit by a devastating earthquake which destroyed many its buildings. Some were rebuilt and some remain in their ruined state.