Showing 1-17 of 17 results
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Basílica de Suyapa
The most important church in Tegucigalpa, and Honduras, is the Gothic Basílica de Suyapa, about 7km south of the city center in the suburb of Suyapa, near UNAH, the national university. La Virgen de Suyapa is the patron saint of Honduras; in 1982 a papal decree made her the patron saint of all Central America. Construction of the basilica, which is famous for its large, brilliant stained-glass windows, began in 1954; finishing touches are still being added though.
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Cathedral
At the center of the city is the fine cathedral and, in front of it, the Plaza Morazán, often just called Parque Central. The domed 18th-century cathedral (built between 1765 and 1782) has an intricate baroque altar of gold and silver. Parque Central, with its statue of Morazán on horseback, is the hub of the city.
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Chiminike
Chiminike is Tegucigalpa's excellent new children's museum, one of many such institutions that have popped up around Central America in recent years. It has something for kids of all ages, from a peaceful infant/nursing area to adolescent-level displays on Mayan history.
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Galería Nacional de Arte
Located in what was once a seventeenth century convent, the Galería Nacional de Arte is well-worth a visit. Seven exhibition rooms house modern artwork, colonial-era paintings and religious artifacts. There is also a small exhibit of pictographs found in Honduras - all replicas - but interesting nonetheless. At the ticket booth, there is an excellent Spanish-language pamphlet, which provides good background information on the gallery's collection. Most signage is in English and Spanish.
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Iglesia de San Francisco
Three blocks east of the cathedral is the Parque Valle, with the Iglesia de San Francisco, the first church in Tegucigalpa, founded in 1592 by the Franciscans.
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Iglesia El Calvario
West of the cathedral is Parque Herrera, which seems to attract a somewhat less savory crowd, but the 18th-century Iglesia El Calvario is worth a peek, as is the Teatro Nacional Manuel Bonilla, if it happens to be open when you pass by.
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Iglesia La Merced
An 18th-century church, Iglesia La Merced, faces Parque La Merced. In 1847, the convent of La Merced was converted to house Honduras' first university; the national gallery was established there in 1996. The well-restored building is itself a work of art, and is as impressive as the paintings inside. The unusual modern building on stilts next door is the Palacio Legislativo ( M0100), where Congress meets.
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Iglesia Los Dolores
Iglesia Los Dolores, northwest of the cathedral, is worth a visit, with a plaza out front and religious art inside. On the front of Los Dolores are figures representing the Passion of Christ - his unseamed cloak, the cock that crowed three times - all crowned by the more indigenous symbol of the sun.
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Museo de Historia Natural
Just down the hill from the Basilica de Suyapa is the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH). Typically called Ciudad Universitaria, it houses the Museo de Historia Natural in the biology building. The museum, however, is a serious downer despite the upbeat listing in Honduras Tips .
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Museo del Hombre Hondureño
The Museo del Hombre Hondureño displays Honduran art, mostly contemporary work. It is often closed, however, open mainly for special events or private parties.
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Museo Histórico de la República
The Museo Histórico de la República is another museum tracing the history of Honduras from independence to the present - the displays are interesting enough, but other museums cover the same ground just as well or better. The building that contains them is the real gem, having served as the Casa Presidencial (Presidential Palace) from 1920 until 1992.
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Museo Histórico Militar
Not worth your time is the Museo Histórico Militar which is supposed to be Honduras' military history, but can barely rustle up a few uniforms and old rusty weapons. (The lack of actual military successes on the part of Honduran armed forces may be part of the problem.)
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Museo Nacional de Historia y Antropología Villa Roy
The Museo Nacional de Historia y Antropología Villa Roy is housed in the former home of ex-president Julio Lozano (near Calle Morelos), an opulent two-story mansion overlooking the city. Fascinating, if somewhat intense, the museum traces a chronological path through Honduran history, from independence, through the Liberal reform period, to modern-day Honduras.
Read more about Museo Nacional de Historia y Antropología Villa Roy
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Museo para la Identidad Nacional
The Museo para la Identidad Nacional offers a tech-savvy journey through Honduras' cultural and national formation. The museum is housed in the former Palace of Ministries, built in 1880 as a hospital, and uses the latest audio-visual technology, including a virtual theater, to bring its displays to life.
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Parque La Concordia
A couple of blocks west of the Museo Nacional de Historia y Antropología Villa Roy is Parque La Concordia, a mellow park full of reproductions of the Maya ruins at Copán, including a pyramid and many stone carvings.
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Parque La Paz
It is not recommended you visit Parque La Paz, a wooded hill and park south of the Estadio Nacional. Though the views are impressive, it is a notorious hang-out of delinquent kids, many hooked on glue sniffing, and assaults on visitors are common.
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Parque Naciones Unidas El Picacho
On the north side of Tegucigalpa is Parque Naciones Unidas El Picacho (United Nations Park), established to commemorate the UN's 40th anniversary. Besides excellent views of the city, there's a soccer field where games are held on Sunday, and a somewhat decrepit zoo with its own entrance fee. The road passes some of the capital's most exclusive real estate.
Showing 1-17 of 17 results
