Behind the Mercado Central, on the outskirts of Antigua, you will find the imposing ruins of this 18th century Church and Monastery built by the Franciscan Recollects from 1701 – 1715. Their Church was one of the largest in the former capital of Guatemala. Sadly, ravaged by earthquakes and neglect, only a skeletal structure remains of this once sprawling spiritual center, but it’s well worth a visit when visiting Antigua.
“One of my favorite places in Antigua to photograph engagement sessions and wedding couples photos! Literally looks like the set of a Game of Thrones Episode. It’s the perfect setting to capture the romance and magic of your relationship. Always excited to shoot here!” -Emma Camenzind
“I stumbled upon this place while walking around Antigua. The admission fee is 40Q for tourists. You get a small map with historical information about the place but other then that, it is simply walk around at your own pace. I found a nice spot in the shade, over looking what appeared to be a court yard and spent about an hour enjoying the peace and quiet. As mentioned by other reviewers, it isn’t in the best of shape but, it is still a very nice piece of history for the area and if your interested in that, I would recommend visiting.” -C. Williams
In 1543, when the seat of the Spanish government was relocated from Cuidad Vieja to the newly established capital of Santiago (present day Antigua), the area experienced a significant and predictable increase in population. The City Council thus began allocating large swathes of land to a wide variety of religious factions and missionaries.
By the time two Recollect friars arrived in the city in 1685, there were already plenty of Churches, Chapels, Monasteries, and Convents underway, in varying stages of construction. The City Council was adamant that the area could not support another. Moreover, they were reluctant to continue to grant land to every religious faction that petitioned, in fear that those petitions may never stop. The Recollects, however, were steadfast in their mission of acquiring their place in the New World.
In 1700, the friars received a writ, signed by the crown, ordering that the Recollects be given whatever they needed to establish their convent. One year later, the construction of their Church began, in September 1701, and would continue for more than a decade, as cloisters, refectories, housing, study rooms, and an infirmary were added to the immense compound.
In 1715, the Church was completed and it was inaugurated in May of 1717, however, just a few months later a major earthquake would cause significant structural damage. Almost immediately, reconstructive work began resulting in a Church so grand in scale, it was considered one of the largest in the new capital.
But, as so many of these stories end, the vicissitudes of nature, in this case, earthquakes, and the devastation they cause, did not spare La Recolección. In 1773, the seismic event that forced the moving of the capital to Guatemala City, also caused this Church and Convent to be abandoned, later to be picked over for resources for other projects. However, even in its current state, you can pass among its walls, and walk along its paths, and still grasp a sense of its former grandeur.
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.