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What Our Students Say ...

Andrew

Ixchel was very welcoming and the perfect way to settle into Antigua. Although two weeks is too short, it has been a great introduction to Spanish. I would recommend Ixchel to anyone wanting to learn Spanish, explore Antigua and learn about Guatemalan culture. I can't wait to come back!

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Andrew Keely-Dyck
Canada

Carrie

I had a very good experience at Ixchel Spanish School. My teacher Isabel was excellent! I only attended for 2 weeks, but I learned enough to have simple conversations in Spanish and to ask common questions and to understand the answers. The program was flexible but well organized. I appreciated the focus on grammar and vocabulary.

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Carrie Blauwkamp
USA

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Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala — UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, Monument of the Americas, and City of Eternal Spring — is the ideal place to learn Spanish and experience the culture and fascinating history of Latin America.

Antigua Guatemala is located in the Central Highlands of Guatemala, at the foot of the Agua volcano.Antigua Guatemala as seen from Cerro de la Cruz, a hill just north of townAntigua Guatemala is surrounded by montains and three volcanoes.Most prominent is the Agua volcano, which is due south of Antigua Guatemala.
The Agua volcano is 3,760 m (12,340 ft) high.The Agua volcano has never erupted in historic times and is considered extinct.To the southwest are the Fuego volcano (left) and the Acatenango volcano.Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross), a hill north of Antigua Guatemala

Lent and Easter Week in Antigua Guatemala

Lent and Easter week celebrations in Antigua Guatemala are world famous and attract visitors from near and far.Procession carrying a float with the figure of Jesus ChristThe floats are magnificently decorated and carried by up to 80 men.Figure of Jesus Christ carrying the cross
The women carry a float of their own, which is smaller and lighter than the men's float.The women's floats depict the Virgin Mary.Copious amounts of incense are burned during the processions.Each float is accompanied by a band that plays religious tunes.
Carpets of colored sawdust and flowers are made in the streets for the processions to walk over.Many carpets have intricate designs and take several hours to make.Carpet made of pine needles and flower petalsThe whole family participates in the celebrations.

Central Park and Surroundings

The Central Park in the heart of Antigua Guatemala.The Central Park is a popular gathering point for locals and tourists alike.Relaxing in the Central ParkMeeting friends in the Central Park
Fuente de las Sirenas (Fountain of the Sirens)The fountain is the centerpiece of the Central Park.The Cathedral on the east side of the Central ParkThe Cathedral (left) with the Agua volcano in the background
The Cathedral was severely damaged by the earthquake of 1773 and only a small part of the original building is in use as a church today.City Hall on the north side of the Central ParkThe Palace of the Captains-General on the south side of the Central ParkThe Palace of the Captains-General was mostly destoyed by the earthquake of 1773. Only the facade is original.

Famous Landmarks

The Arch of Santa Catalina, probably the most famous landmark of Antigua GuatemalaThe Arch of Santa Catalina is located at the northern end of 5th Avenue.The Arch was built in the 18th century to connect two parts of a monastery.The Arch survived the 1773 earthquake with only minor damage, while the monastery was mostly destroyed.
La Merced church at the northern end of 5th AvenueLa Merced church is one of the largest and most active churches in Antigua Guatemala.The baroque facade of La Merced churchThe short, sturdy bell towers are a tribute to the frequent earthquakes in the region.
San Pedro churchSan Pedro church at sunriseLa Union park, a small park in the southeast of Antigua GuatemalaLa Union park at sunrise

Ruins from the Colonial Era

Antigua Guatemala was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1773 and the capital was move to present-day Guatemala City.Antigua Guatemala was not completely abandoned, but the few who stayed behind lacked the resources to rebuild.Some of the buildings that were destroyed by the 1773 earthquake still lie in ruins today.Imagine the tremendous forces of nature that brought these walls down!
Some of the ruins are closed to the public.Sneaking a peek through a closed gate is often possible, though.Other ruins have been partially restored to make them safe to enter and converted into small parks.The ruins of San Jeronimo on the corner of 1st Avenue and Calzada Santa Lucia
The convent of the Compañia de Jesus (Society of Jesus) has been restored and is often used for cultural events.The church itself is still in ruins, though.The ruins of the San Jose el Viejo church are often used for private events, particularly wedding receptions.Other ruins are put to more mundane uses, like storing construction material.

Colonial-style Houses

One of the first things you'll notice in Antigua Guatemala are the bright colors of many houses.Many different colors are often found side by side in the same street.Some houses are painted white, but they are clearly in the minority.The colors that are used today are the same as the ones used during the colonial era.
Almost all windows have iron or wooden grills in front of them, and many are decorated with flowers.Houses in Antigua Guatemala may not be higher than two floors.A hallmark of the Spanish colonial building style is a patio (or several) around which the rooms are built.Some patios are paved, particularly if the building is used for events year round.
Many patios feature beautiful gardes with flowers and evergreen plants.The centerpiece of many patios is a fountain.Sometimes a bucaro (wall-mounted fountain) takes the place of a free-standing fountain.Even small private homes often have a patio complete with fountain.

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