Santa Catalina Arch — Attraction in Sacatepéquez

The Arco de Santa Catalina is a well-known landmark in Antigua and it makes for amazing photo opportunities. It is an impressive and beautiful arch over one of the most picturesque and charming cobbled streets in Antigua where there are fantastic photo opportunities.

This yellow painted archway is situated on a beautiful, bustling and charming colonial cobblestone street in central Antigua where you will find a variety of nice shops selling local handicrafts, travel agencies, good restaurants and cute cafes located inside colourfully painted buildings. The surroundings are also very picturesque with Volcan Agua in the background.

The arch itself is impressive and pretty and has some interesting history behind it. It is the perfect place for photographers to get some good shots!

Sunday is the best day to check out the arch as the entire street is closed to traffic and you are able to walk in the middle of the street. Local men and women lay their handicrafts, textiles and paintings out on the sides of the streets to sell and the street is bustling with people. Go there earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best photos (good lighting and fewer people).

The arch is definitely worth a...

En el año de 1609, cuatro monjas del Convento de la Inmaculada Concepción de María fueron autorizadas para establecer el Convento de Santa Catalina Mártir. Este fue el segundo convento para monjas en la ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros, fundado en el año de 1613. El Convento de Santa Catalina Mártir tenía un carácter de reclusión debido a los votos que tomaban las religiosas que pertenecían a esa Orden. Es decir que se les impedía salir a las calles o ser vistas desde el exterior. Con el tiempo, el número de religiosas que eran admitidas en el convento creció tanto, que el espacio ya no era suficiente. Por lo que pidieron autorización para ocupar el espacio que se encontraba frente al convento.

Dicho lugar se les otorgó en el año de 1693. Pero debido a la reclusión del convento, solicitaron también autorización para cerrar la calle y así unir los dos espacios que ya poseían. Esa autorización fue negada. En lugar de cerrar la calle se les permitió la construcción de un puente. El mismo fue en forma de arco con un corredor cerrado por el que las religiosas transitaban sin ser vistas, cumpliendo así con el voto de reclusión. Luego de los terremotos de 1773, el arco tomó importancia debido a los arreglos que se mandaron a hacer. Dichos arreglos comprendieron la construcción de una torrecilla y la inclusión de un reloj Lamy Amp Lacroix de origen francés.

Debido a su historia, el arco es conocido en la actualidad como el Arco de Santa Catalina y lo que en su momento fue el convento es ahora un hotel colonial. La calle del arco es una de las más concurridas de la ciudad colonial. Es también uno de los íconos más representativos de la Antigua Guatemala.

Curiosidades

El reloj del Arco de Santa Catalina es una joya de finales del siglo XIX.

Las columnas con las que se construyó el arco permanecieron en pie luego de los terremotos debido a su grosor.

In the year 1609, four nuns from the Convent of the Immaculate Conception of Mary were authorized to establish the Convent of Santa Catalina Mártir. This was the second convent for nuns in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, founded in the year 1613. The Convent of Santa Catalina Mártir had a seclusion character due to the vows taken by the nuns who belonged to that Order. In other words, they were prevented from going out into the streets or being seen from the outside. Over time, the number of nuns who were admitted to the convent grew so much that space was no longer enough. Therefore, they requested authorization to occupy the space that was in front of the convent. Said place was granted to them in the year 1693. But due to the confinement of the convent, they also requested authorization to close the street and thus unite the two spaces that they already owned. That authorization was denied. Instead of closing the street, they were allowed to build a bridge. It was in the form of an arch with a closed corridor through which the nuns passed without being seen, thus complying with the vow of seclusion. After the earthquakes of 1773, the arch gained importance due to the repairs that were ordered to be made. These arrangements included the construction of a turret and the inclusion of a Lamy Amp Lacroix clock of French origin. Due to its history, the arch is now known as the Arco de Santa Catalina and what was once the convent is now a colonial hotel. The street of the arc is one of the busiest in the colonial city. It is also one of the most representative icons of Antigua Guatemala. Curiosities The clock in the Arco de Santa Catalina is a jewel from the end of the 19th century. The columns with which the arch was built remained standing after the earthquakes due to...

This iconic Arch is the reason you come to visit Antigua in Guatemala. More instagram pictures of the Arch then any other land marks in Guatemala. Few years ago it was granted UNESCO Heritage site.

This place is easy to find as it’s located just a few blocks from the Park and one block from Starbucks.

To capture the iconic photo with the view of the water Volcano with the orange ring at the peak through the Arch, you would have to come 15 mi before sunrise. At this hour, there would be no tourists and cars.

Another spot to take a gorgeous picture is just north of the Arch at the end of the street. With this angle, you would have a photo of the beautiful water volcano with orange water vapor ring in the background...