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The history of its origins dates back to 1695, when a fragile Recollect applied for a license to found a convent for missionary priests. He was one of the friars who lived in Guatemala in 1685. In 1687, of the second year, he left four more missionaries. All housed in El Calvario waiting for the approval that they thus discourage.



However, since Antigua Guatemala was the center of a great religious boom during colonial times, there were more religious congregations than it was possible to host and authorization was denied.



The city authorities considered that if they kept order as it was, with the members, they would be forced to divide in the country spreading the religious spirit. In this way, without establishing a temple, convent and avoiding the task of satisfying requests at all times.



The missionaries, who lived in poverty, supported themselves and the noble activities of their congregation through the limousines they received. This singular and admirable behavior, together with the appreciation of the work carried out, I believe that Cabildo (the community of ecclesiastics) decided to support them financially. This is how the Royal Decree is finally issued on July 16, 1700, which authorizes the foundation of the College of Christ Crucified of the Apostolic Missionaries.



The construction began under the direction of the architect José de Porres and the first stone was laid on September 8, 1701. Even after that, both the cloisters, the hospital and the cellars, as well as the library and the classes were completed.



Noble work and high ideals



The order was characterized by its missionary spirit, mainly among the natives, living with its members in modest places. They are curious as they live in real life from special limousines to piracy in the grandeur of their constructions. There is no translation in the ornamentation, the bell in the size of its buildings.



The temple was completed and inaugurated in 1717, but shortly after the earthquake struck the ruins of many structures in La Antigua Guatemala.





The damaged walls were considerable and without delay if the restoration and reconstruction works began; in 1751 another earthquake damaged the new construction. The spirit of the order in the fall and began to work, with such fidelity to the original intention of the convent, that they succeeded.



The construction was magnificent, with a large central nave. His sacristy was super large in any size in La Antigua Guatemala, it was so big that other churches would only use the size of his nave.





The earthquakes in the field were the only ones responsible for the definitive deterioration of the convent, since the material was removed from it to build walls surrounding land in the region. Its spaces were used for festivals and the sacristy was once a soap factory. Other parts were used to store cars.



If you say that the damage caused by earthquakes, if you fly with gunpowder charges some columns and bombs to avoid the danger of your future collapse, it is also mentioned that the motive was to avoid reconstruction efforts once it was ordered to leave. the city.









It is located in 7 blocks from Parque Central. They are the most distant ruins, but they are always accessible only on one street in Alameda de Santa Lucía.

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.



When visiting its ruins, do not forget to appreciate the size and solidity of the blocks that formed the original construction which, together with the few inherited vestiges, are shadows of its former greatness.

Currently, work is being carried out dedicated to the preservation of the City as a world monument.



You can see the triumphal arch, which inspired countless painters, photographers, writers,

Poets and Artists is a monument visited annually by thousands of people who contemplate ruins of impressive size.

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