Antigua Museums

(Antigua, Central Highlands, Guatemala)

Antigua has a fascinating collection of cultural offerings. There are museums relating to both history and archaeology, along with a look at paper making and the life of local Franciscan monk Hermano Pedro.

The City Hall (Palacio del Ayuntamiento) contains both the Museo del Libro Antiguo (Ancient Book Museum) and the Museo de Santiago (Santiago Museum), the latter of which is one of the most interesting in the city. Visitors to Antigua wishing to learn about Guatemalan textiles should definitely take a look at the Old Tissue House.

Santiago Museum (Museo de Santiago)

Address: Palacio del Ayuntamiento, Calle 4a, Antigua, Guatemala, GT
Tel: +502 7832 2868
Located to the northern edge of the Parque Central and off the Calle 4a Poniente is the diminutive Santiago Museum, which is based in the City Hall's former prison and has many historic artefacts of yesteryear, including weapons. Most memorable are the devices of torture exhibited within an actual jail cell, while the mermaid statues, old coins and colonial pottery make up some of the other popular exhibits. The City Hall itself is quite impressive, hailing as it does from the mid-1700s.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Museum of the Ancient Book / Old Book Museum (Museo del Libro Antiguo)

Address: Palacio del Ayuntamiento, Calle 4a, Antigua, Guatemala, GT
Tel: +502 7832 5511
The Museo del Libro is worth seeing on a trip to Central Park, since it is located on the outskirts, in the City Hall (Palacio del Ayuntamiento) and alongside the Museo de Santiago. Visitors will find that it showcases early Guatemalan printing, displaying an actual printing press from the 1660s. Those who are interested in marbled paper production can see the process in its entirety. There is also a first edition copy of the acclaimed novel entitled 'The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha'. Worth noting, admission charges are waived on Sundays, when donations of your choosing are suggested instead.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Old Tissue House (Casa del Tejido)

Address: Calle 1a Poniente, Antigua, Guatemala, GT
Tel: +502 7832 3169
The Casa del Tejido is to be found to the north of La Casa del Jade Market and near to the Colegio San Jerónimo, the Mayan Spa and the New Sensation Salsa Studio. Displaying everything that you could ever wish to know about textiles and weaving in the region, the collection is colourful and very impressive, with items from all over Guatemala. Exhibits are well explained, although going round with a guide (for a small fee) is the best bet for those wishing to learn some more about traditional Guatemalan textiles and clothing, such as 'cortes' (wrap-around skirts), 'fajas' (sashes), 'perrajes' (shawls) and 'tzutes' (scarves). There is also a gift shop to hand selling a selection of authentic textile-related items.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:30
Admission: charge

Hermano Pedro Museum (Museo del Hermano Pedro)

Address: Iglesia de San Francisco, Calle 8a Oriente / Calle do los Pasos, Antigua, Guatemala, GT
The Hermano Pedro Museum features relics from the Iglesia de San Francisco and the belongings of famous St. Hermano Pedro de San Jose Betancurt (1626 to 1667), a Franciscan monk best known for his healing powers. Of most interest is the corridor (the Pasillo de los Milagros), which is loaded with photographs and testimonials of past patients. There is even a number of crutches and some old underwear! Admission to the 'museo' includes entry to the monastery next door.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge