GUATEMALA - ANTIGUA (44)

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GUATEMALA - ANTIGUA (44)
GUATEMALA - ANTIGUA (44)

GUATEMALA - ANTIGUA

Antigua is the former capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala. It is known for its colonial Baroque and Spanish Renaissance architecture.

It was founded by the Spanish in 1543, under the name of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, with the aim of becoming the third capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala. The conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo, former companion of Hernán Cortés, was its governor for a long time. It is recognized, by developing during the Golden Age (16th - 17th century), as the third most beautiful city in the Spanish Indies.

As with many colonial cities in Latin America, the city plan is Hippodamian, consisting of streets that intersect at right angles around a main square.

The city was built 1,500 m above sea level, in an earthquake-prone region. On numerous occasions, it was the victim of earthquakes. And in 1773, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake. It is through this violence of nature that the city loses its status: after this earthquake, the Spanish government decides to move the capital to another place (which will become Guatemala City).

EASTER PROCESSIONS
Beyond the colonial city, Antigua is also known for its Easter celebrations. The atmosphere that reigns in the country during this period is special. During Lent, processions take place every weekend. These processions are organized by the different parishes in the Antigua region. A procession begins early in the morning at the church of the parish which organizes it. The processions travel through the surrounding villages before arriving in Antigua.

A procession is a march through the streets and is made up of marchers, porters and musicians. The walkers, dressed as Romans, in purple or black cassocks, open the procession. Behind them, the porters (men) carry on their shoulders, a kind of allegorical chariot, without wheels and very heavy. On top of this float, statues represent a scene from the Bible. Then, the porters (women) arrive who carry another chariot on their shoulders.
In order to honor the passage of the procession in front of their house, Guatemalans make “Alfombras” (carpets) in the street before the procession passes. These decorations are made up of flowers, colored sawdust, or even fruits and vegetables. These carpets are then trampled by large processions during the famous processions.
Near the churches and in the streets where the processions advance, stalls and street vendors offer food and sweets because it is also the occasion of a popular festival.

Attribution Noncommercial No Derivative Works Some rights reserved
Taken on: March 10, 2024
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Camera: Nikon D7500, f/5.0, 1/1250 sec, 31mm (=46mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Nikon D7500
Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure Time: 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Focal Length: 31mm (35mm equivalent: 46mm)
ISO: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Not Defined
Exposure Mode: Auto
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Color Space: sRGB
Software: DxO PhotoLab 3.3
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