MYTHS AND REALITIES OF LA ANTIGUA (continued, part 3) In the morning I woke up in a hotel room. A ray of sunshine broke through the keyhole. I wore jeans, a shirt and went outside. At that moment it seemed that time stopped and I got into another century. La Antigua, Guatemala old, there you are. Every resident of Guatemala, knows that this city was the third capital of the state. It was founded in 1543 and was then called Santiago de Guatemala. Today it is one of the most important tourist centers in Guatemala, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Destroyed in 1773 earthquake monuments in Baroque style turned the city into a museum of Spanish architecture. Roads with a coating of gravel, small, not exceeding 2 floors, the building of colonial style, reveal the beauty of the city that shines different colors. And here is the central square! Here, against the clear blue sky, stands the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Prior to 1743, he was considered the largest in Central America. After the earthquake of 1773, during which the cathedral was badly damaged, it is partially rebuilt and restored. Slightly in the distance is Santa Catalina Arch. It was built in 17 century and was originally connected the monastery of Santa Catalina and the building of the church school. For her Gone from the madding crowd nuns were free to move from one building to another without going out on the streets. Church of La Merced, a museum of ancient weapons, the Cathedral of St. Francis, the monastery of St. Domingo Church and Monastery Capuchin monks - this is an incomplete list of historic buildings for which the La Antigua tourists come from all over the world. Arch of Santa Catalina in the city dominated by a festive mood. Streets full of cozy restaurants, cafes and wine cellars that resemble art galleries. In the coffee shops here as there is no shortage - this place is famous for its coffee plantations. Here you can easily find a self-taught musician, playing the marimba, the most popular musical instrument, brought to this region from the Antilles, where he, in turn, came thanks to African slaves. What a touching and beautiful sight when you see how the male part of the family gets together and goes to town to make money playing the marimba. Very difficult to remain indifferent to this. Simple smiling people dressed in traditional costumes, come to La Antigua from nearby villages to offer all comers a product made with his own hands: wooden beads, unpretentious decorations, handkerchiefs, shawls, rugs, souvenirs and laces. Your refusal to buy this simple product can bring them to tears. Discounts are immense - the price could fall to $ 1 - but you get a great gift for yourself or your friends that you got almost nothing. Smallest musician in La Antigua plenty of taxis, but according to ancient custom, the city can meet and wagons with horses. After passing the series of bookstores and old-fashioned internet cafe, you find yourself in Central Park, city center and meeting place. Local residents turn everyday life into a performance in which combined use and entertainment: the boys follow passers-by, offering polish shoes, even if their shoes in perfect condition, selling ice cream girl and candies. It is remarkable that with the onset of night life in La Antigua stops. There are many clubs and discos are open until the last customer. The tourists here can drink and make merry, as in any metropolis in the world. This city is distinguished by rich history, beautiful scenery, friendly people and great atmosphere. But what about La Loronoy? The myth is, or is a true story? I think you should clarify this very mystery itself. Here about the weeping woman can tell you any local resident. Cozy restaurant Home of the material:
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