Iglesia El Calvario, located in Antigua, Guatemala, is a historic church known for its striking architecture and its importance in religious processions, particularly during Holy Week. Its origins date back to the early 17th century when the Franciscan order established a small chapel at this site to mark the endpoint of Antigua’s Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), a devotional route leading from San Francisco el Grande, symbolizing Christ’s journey to Calvary. The church that stands here today was completed in 1720, after the first structure was destroyed in the 1717 quake.
“Nice historic church. The main interest here could be the Esquisúchil, or the Tree of the Brother Peter of Betancourt, the Saint who more miracles are assigned in Guatemala and who is said plant the tree around 450 years ago. A great person that made his mission in Antigua in 16 century. The people said that the flowers of the tree could be with a high spiritual and healing properties since the tree was planted to provide the poor mayan people with the botanical cures that the tree could heal. Nice place and history to visit.” -Javier Segura
The stone cross that adorns the front gate of El Calvario has an inscription of 1688, likely replacing the wooden cross that was placed there when the Franciscans designated the site in 1618. The first church that they erected was built in 1655.
Please note that many of the entrance fees for landmarks, parks, and museums are subsidized by the government for Guatemalan citizens. You may notice a price difference for foreigners.