Iglesia de San José El Viejo

Antigua


Originally built as a shrine to house the image of Saint Joseph, this church stood completed for just 11 years before the 1773 earthquake laid it low. Its beautiful and unusual baroque facade are surrounded by pretty gardens – look for happy couples, as the site is a popular wedding venue.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Antigua attractions

1. Palacio de los Capitanes Generales

0.2 MILES

Dating from 1549, the palace was colonial headquarters for all of Central America, from Chiapas to Costa Rica, until the capital was relocated in 1776…

2. Parque Central

0.24 MILES

Surrounded by superb colonial structures, this broad and beautiful plaza is the gathering place for antigüeños and visitors alike – a fine, verdant place…

3. Iglesia y Convento de San Agustín

0.25 MILES

Two blocks west of Parque Central, the stately facade of this building is just the shell of what was once a massive complex for the order of San Agustín,…

4. Catedral de Santiago

0.25 MILES

Antigua's cathedral was begun in 1545, wrecked by the quake of 1773, and only partially rebuilt over the next century. The present sliver of a church –…

5. Iglesia y Convento de Santa Clara

0.26 MILES

Established by sisters from Puebla, Mexico, Santa Clara was inaugurated in 1734, destroyed four decades later by the great quake and abandoned…

6. Palacio del Ayuntamiento

0.29 MILES

This double-decker structure on the north side of the park dates from the 18th century. Besides town offices, the palace houses the Museo del Libro…

7. Museo del Libro Antiguo

0.29 MILES

The fascinating Museo del Libro Antiguo showcases the greatest hits of the early days of Guatemalan printing, plus a replica of Guatemala's first printing…