![Pedro de Alvarado](img/pedro-de-alvarado.jpg)
About Antigua
On July 25, 1524 Pedro de Alvarado founded Antigua. Soon thereafter it became the colonial capital of the "Kingdom of Guatemala", a region that covered most of Central America and Chiapas. The city wasn't called Antigua at the time. King Felipe II of Spain named it the "Muy Noble Y Muy Leal Ciudad De Santiago De Los Caballeros" (the Very Noble and Very Loyal City of the Knights of St. James)—a grand name to be sure, but spend a few hours wandering Antigua's stately cobblestone streets and you will soon see how well the title fits.
![Antigua cathedral](img/old-church.gif)
Earthquakes, volcanos and floods—on top of almost five centuries of hard history have long since depleted the high gloss of a very wealthy youth. In it's place are the more resilient qualities of strength, grace and composed dignity—qualities of age, good genes and impeccable taste.
Antigua is a venerable old lady, an aristocrat who wears her diamonds to breakfast, and does so with easy aplomb, as if it was the most natural thing on earth. Indeed, for such a lady it is.
Come and join her for breakfast,
...and lunch & dinner. While you are here you can stay in one of Antigua's many excellent colonial hotels!
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