Centro Intercultural de Quetzaltenango

Quetzaltenango


Quetzaltenango's railroad station, 1km east of the Templo de Minerva along 4a Calle, lay dormant for many years until the city converted it into this center, which now houses schools of art and dance, plus three interesting museums.

The Museo Ixkik' is devoted to Maya weaving and traditional outfits, while some 400 paintings by Guatemala's leading modernists are exhibited in the Museo de Arte, including works by Efraín Recinos, Juan Antonio Franco and the landscape artist José Luis Álvarez. The Museo del Ferrocarril de los Altos covers the ambitious rail project that connected Quetzaltenango to the Pacific coast but operated for just three years from 1930 to 1933.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Quetzaltenango attractions

1. Museo del Ferrocarril de los Altos

This museum covers the ambitious rail project that connected Quetzaltenango to the Pacific coast but operated for just three years, from 1930 to 1933…

2. Museo Ixkik'

This museum is devoted to Maya weaving, with traditional outfits arranged by region. Director Raquel García is an expert on the symbols and meanings of…

3. Museo de Arte

An interesting if chaotic collection of some 400 paintings by Guatemala's leading modernists is exhibited here, including works by Efraín Recinos, Jorge…

4. Templo de Minerva

0.64 MILES

Rising incongruously from an island in the middle of traffic-choked 4a Calle, this temple was erected by dictator Estrada Cabrera to honor the Roman…

5. Iglesia El Calvario

0.64 MILES

The church that lends its name to the neighborhood west of the center was built four centuries ago on a rise to avoid Xela's periodic flooding. Check out…

6. Edificio Rivera

0.86 MILES

A neoclassical structure near the northeast corner of Parque Centro América, the Edificio Rivera has been handsomely renovated (complete with fast-food…

7. Parque Centro América

0.86 MILES

Most of Xela's sights crowd in and around the broad central plaza. It's a great place for a stroll or to sit and people-watch. It was originally two…

8. Municipalidad

0.87 MILES

The Municipalidad, at the northeastern end of the park, was rebuilt after the 1902 earthquake in the grandiose neoclassical style so favored as a symbol…