Museo Arqueológico Regional

Chichicastenango


Chichi's archaeology museum holds the collection of Hugo Rossbach, a German who served as the town's Catholic priest until his death in 1944. It includes some beautiful jade necklaces and figurines, along with ceremonial masks, obsidian spearheads, incense burners, figurines and metates (grindstones for maize). A second hall features a portrait gallery of cofradía leaders.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Chichicastenango attractions

1. Mural

0.03 MILES

Be sure to admire the mural that runs alongside the wall of the town hall on the east side of the plaza – it’s dedicated to the victims of the civil war…

2. Market

0.03 MILES

Some villagers still walk for hours carrying their wares to reach Chichi's market, one of Guatemala's largest and a highlight of many people's trips to…

3. Iglesia de Santo Tomás

0.04 MILES

This church on the plaza's east side dates from 1540 and is often the scene of rituals that are more distinctly Maya than Catholic. Inside, the floor of…

4. Capilla del Calvario

0.04 MILES

On the west side of the plaza, this whitewashed church is similar in form and function to Santo Tomás, but smaller. Ceremonies go on continually in front…

5. Centro Comercial Santo Tomás

0.07 MILES

Even on non-market days, the covered market on the north side of the square buzzes with activity. The fresh produce on display is a reflection of…

6. Galería Pop-Wuj

0.18 MILES

On the way down the hill to the shrine at Pascual Abaj, you might stop into this interesting gallery. Developed as an art institute for local children…

7. Pascual Abaj

0.42 MILES

On a hilltop south of town, Pascual Abaj (Sacrifice Stone) is a shrine to the Maya earth god Huyup Tak'ah (Mountain Plain). A stone-faced idol stands amid…

8. K'umarcaaj

6.77 MILES

The ruins of the ancient K'iche' Maya capital of K'umarcaaj remain a sacred site for the Maya, and contemporary rituals are customarily enacted here…