![Palacio de los Capitanes (Palace of the Captains), Antigua](/img/gd_attr/34317.jpg)
Palacio de los Capitanes (Palace of the Captains), Antigua
The Palace of the Captains (Palacio de los Capitanes) in Antigua located on the southeast corner of the Central Plaza, is an iconic symbol of colonial history and architectural grandeur. Constructed in 1558, the palace’s architectural design features a two-story arcade with 54 arches and an open corridor of semicircular arches that support the second floor, spanning the entire side of the large Central Park. Originally serving as the headquarters for the Captain General of Guatemala, the palace was a center of power, housing key governmental, administrative, and military offices including the Royal Tax office, the jail, and army headquarters.
Throughout its history, the palace has experienced luxury, destruction by earthquakes, and numerous renovations. It was the epicenter of governance for the Captaincy General of Guatemala and was pivotal during the era when it served as the government center for Central America, housing the Mint and the residences of high-ranking officials and their families. Over the centuries, the palace endured significant damage from earthquakes, notably in 1773, which led to the city’s relocation to the Valley of the Hermitage and resulted in the building being stripped of many of its materials in 1775.
Restored in the 1930s and declared a World Heritage Site in 1979, the Palace of the Captains now hosts the National Museum of Art of Guatemala (MUNAG), showcasing a rich collection of artworks spanning contemporary, modern, republican, colonial, and pre-Hispanic periods. This reflects more than three thousand years of Guatemala’s cultural heritage. This design and the historical significance of the Palace of the Captains make it not only a key tourist attraction but also a venerable emblem of the Central American region.
Throughout its history, the palace has experienced luxury, destruction by earthquakes, and numerous renovations. It was the epicenter of governance for the Captaincy General of Guatemala and was pivotal during the era when it served as the government center for Central America, housing the Mint and the residences of high-ranking officials and their families. Over the centuries, the palace endured significant damage from earthquakes, notably in 1773, which led to the city’s relocation to the Valley of the Hermitage and resulted in the building being stripped of many of its materials in 1775.
Restored in the 1930s and declared a World Heritage Site in 1979, the Palace of the Captains now hosts the National Museum of Art of Guatemala (MUNAG), showcasing a rich collection of artworks spanning contemporary, modern, republican, colonial, and pre-Hispanic periods. This reflects more than three thousand years of Guatemala’s cultural heritage. This design and the historical significance of the Palace of the Captains make it not only a key tourist attraction but also a venerable emblem of the Central American region.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Antigua. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Palacio de los Capitanes (Palace of the Captains) on Map
Sight Name: Palacio de los Capitanes (Palace of the Captains)
Sight Location: Antigua, Guatemala (See walking tours in Antigua)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Antigua, Guatemala (See walking tours in Antigua)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Antigua, Guatemala
Create Your Own Walk in Antigua
Creating your own self-guided walk in Antigua is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ancient Ruins of Antigua
In places like Antigua Guatemala, it feels as if a time machine has already been invented. This glorious ancient town breathes history in all its streets, houses, fountains, and courtyards, but above all the great ruins, which are impossible to miss against the impressive backdrop of Agua Volcano. The latter is responsible for these ruins in the first place, having caused a series of earthquakes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Antigua Museums
A combination of Spanish colonialism and Mayan culture has given rise to a wealth of heritage in Guatemala. The evidence of this is particularly visible in Antigua, a small town yet fascinating place to visit in Latin America. The local museums are well worth exploring for anyone wishing to learn about the country's history in general and some of its aspects in particular.
The Casa Santo... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
The Casa Santo... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Antigua Introduction Walking Tour
Antigua, Guatemala, which is sometimes known as La Antigua, dates back to 1543. This city was the third capital of the Spanish colony. Surrounded by volcanoes, the city of Antigua is a small yet very picturesque example of Spanish colonial architecture. Jesuit and Franciscan orders have had a presence in this region since the 17th century, contributing to its rich colonial religious life.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles