Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala was founded in 1524 in the central highlands of Guatemala some 5,000 feet above sea level. Formally named Santiago de Guatemala, it served as the capital and the cultural, economic, religious and educational center for the region. Since its founding, the city was destroyed by a fire caused by an uprising of the indigenous population and re-established in 1527; buried due to earthquakes and an avalanche and reestablished in 1543; and destroyed again due to the Santa Marta earthquake in 1773. At that point, authorities relocated the capital to a safer location, which became Guatemala City. Some residents stayed behind in the original town, which became Antigua Guatemala, or “Old Guatemala.” Despite its history of natural disasters, the various centuries-old monuments are still preserved.

—Prepared by the World Tribune staff