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This is among my favorite photographic subjects: repetition, arches, and Palacio de Los Capitanes Generales. I don’t think I will ever get tired of photographing this building. In fact, I should do a series with just photos of Palace of the Captains which should include everything from details to not often seen sections of the inside. What do you recommend?
Now this is what the dry season looks like in Antigua Guatemala; sunshine, deep blue skies, beautiful light, cold winds and almost now clouds. As always, follow the white rabbit to see more photos and read about Palacio de los Capitanes Generales of Santiago de Guatemala.
On November 11, 2011 (11.11.11 for short) the Feria Nacional de Comercio Justo y Solidario Guatemala 2011 opened its kiosk on the arched hallway of Palacio de los Capitanes Generales to promote exchanges for a better world the brochure declares. The national fair trade fair will remain open until Sunday at 3pm, so if you’re in Antigua Guatemala stop by to get chance to talk to and buy directly from the artisans and small producers of honey, coffee, handicrafts, textiles, recycled crafts, shampoos, teas, cereals, etc.
I took other photos of some of the fair stands, so, stay tune for additional coverage.
There was a plantón, sort of an occupy protest, called for many civil organizations to disrupt and put an end to the plans of making the newly restored Palacio de los Capitanes Generales into a commercial center. The palace is now under the control of Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes which has plans of renting some of the spaces for commercial venues, like a coffee shop. If allowed, the Ministry of “Culture” could turn this historic and protected building into a shopping mall, the protesters claimed.
I have reported before that there were plans to make Palacio de los Capitanes the new location for Museo de Santiago, which is the city and departamento’s museum. Museo de Armas de Santiago was, and still is for now, located next to the Municipal government offices; perhaps on the same building and that’s where the original mermaids were on display.
What do you think about turning historic buildings into commercial centers?
Here’s the background information about the restoration works:
After two and half years and Q16 millions/$2 millions spent in renovations Palacio de Los Capitanes has finally opened again. The new façade is painted with yellow and white paint. According to an article in Prensa Libre, CNPAG, the entity in charge of restoring and protecting La Antigua Guatemala, also removed 15 tons of extra weight. There is still a second restoration phase quoted at Q14 million more to be done.
If you’re interested in looking at the façade of Palacio de Los Capitanes before the renovations, please follow the white rabbit to the Palacio de Los Capitanes archives.
This is the second option I had for the theme day: perspective. Although I like the vanishing point of Palacio de los Capitanes, I still believe I chose correctly for the theme day. However, looking at the picture above made me long for the dry season when the skies are blue and the light has magical quality to it. Don’t you agree?
The commonly used expression, “Those who ignore history are bound (or doomed) to repeat it” is actually a mis-quotation of the original text written by George Santayana, who, in his Reason in Common Sense, The Life of Reason, Vol.1, wrote “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Rooted in the philosophies of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and many others to follow, his biography (1863-1952) and more contemporary intepretations and observations about man and life can be found at Wikipedia by searching for George Santayana. Stanford University online also provides an outstanding and much more detailed background on this important and profound philosopher, essayist, poet and novelist.
Santayana’s quotation, in turn, was a slight modification of an Edmund Burke (1729-1797) statement, “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” (source: Wikianswers)
Even though at first I didn’t like the pastel yellow plaster applied to the newly restored Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, now I have to admit it is growing on me.
Here’s the background information about the restoration works:
After two and half years and Q16 millions/$2 millions spent in renovations Palacio de Los Capitanes has finally opened again. The new façade is painted with yellow and white paint. According to an article in Prensa Libre, CNPAG, the entity in charge of restoring and protecting La Antigua Guatemala, also removed 15 tons of extra weight. There is still a second restoration phase quoted at Q14 million more to be done.
If you’re interested in looking at the façade of Palacio de Los Capitanes before the renovations, please follow the white rabbit to the Palacio de Los Capitanes archives.
Rudy, just want to say amazing job with this blog, your photographs are artful and your commentary is engaging. After clicking through a few months worth of entries, I think my mind has been made up that I will choose Antigua as my next destination. Thanks for your great work! —Darren
