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.