St. Augustin Church and Convent: Fabulous New Museum Now Open in Antigua Guatemala
Fragments from the Past, By Elizabeth Bell
Nestled in the 17th Century church of Saint Agustin two blocks from Central Park, “Fragments from the Past” opened on August 22, 2024, after extensive work by dozens of CNPAG experts. It is, without a doubt, one of our finest museums in town and well worth a visit!
As we enter this world-class museum, we are inspired by the displays of a wide variety of artifacts interwoven around the archeological excavations. These include a previous stone floor at the entrance, a flour mill that predates the 1657 construction of the church and the original walls some of which fell in the December 1917 earthquakes! A further study shows us that the church was built by the Guatemalan free mulatto, Juan Pascual, in an early Renaissance style.
These objects, collected by the CNPAG conservation team since its founding in 1969, are on display today for the first time. Local experts have tastefully displayed many that predate the arrival of the Spanish in 1524 and invite us to focus also the importance of the Maya culture that dates back thousands of years in the area. The large stone Maya objects, obsidian and the 1,500 year old burial located in the newly dedicated “Sala Prehispanica Dr. Mario Ubico Calderon” are exceptional; kids (young and old) find the video description of the archeological works an eye-catcher!
Don’t miss the colonial highlights including the majolica ceramic lions from the La Merced dome and ceramic faces which are definitely some of our favorites! We found the displays of the wine/olive oil vessels and stucco fragments from Antigua’s monuments also amazing!
Fragments of the Past brings to life a vast cultural heritage of Antigua Guatemala and nearby surrounding areas in a new light! This museum is breathtaking!
St. Augustin Church Antigua Guatemala
Address: On the corner of 5a Calle Poniente & 7a Av Norte
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9 AM – 5 PM
Q5 for Guatemalans, Q15 Central Americans, Q20 for foreign students
& Q40 for foreigners.
