Antigua, Guatemala - Semana Santa 2005
A business trip to Guatemala provided an opportunity to visit the colonial town of Antigua. Better yet my visit coincided with Semana Santa or Holy Week.
Antigua is a particularly special place to be during holy week due to its spectacular processions, where penitents carry a 3 and a half ton float (Anda) through streets, carpeted with intricate designs made from flowers, pine needles and vividly dyed sawdust.
The cathedral steps were full of people watching the procession which lasts most of the day and night!
The arch of Santa Catalina built in the early 17th Century once part of the Santa Catalina monastry and convent until destroyed in the earthquake of 1773.
The very beautiful church of La Merced is the starting point of one of the processions.
The streets have a wonderful atmosphere during Semana Santa. I would very much like to see how things are at a quieter time.
At certain places at certain times the streets are lined with people dressed as Roman Soldiers. At times I can be a little cynical about religion but I really was blown away by the atmosphere in this little Guatemalan town on this night.
It takes 80 Cucuruchos (carriers) to carry this Anda (float) which weighs three and a half tons! Hundreds more penitents march with the Anda, waiting to take there turn.
Men dressed in Purple carry the float with the effigy of Christ, while woman carry the effigy of the virgin.
The streets are ablaze with purple robed men and women, the penitents, who pay for the privilege of spending time carrying the Anda through the Antiguan streets.
Side streets of Antigua, showing the characteristic cobbles of Antigua.
Close by the church of La Merced, there are many stalls selling a variety of food, but mainly these huge Guatemalan sandwiches.
