Search Results for: Santiago emblem
Volcanic Stone-carving of the Coat of Arms of Santiago de Guatemala
Just when you think you have photographed every nook and cranny of Antigua Guatemala, you come across a different version of the coat of arms of Santiago de Guatemala. The irony is that is quite visible and located on such prominent building, the Real Palacio of the Cultura on the south flank of the main … Read more
Coat of arms of Santiago de Guatemala
This emblem of Saint James of Guatemala was carved on a volcanic rock just as many of the architectonic details of the formerly known as La Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, or The Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Saint James of the Knights of Guatemala. … Read more
Antigua Guatemala Signs: Coat of Arms of Santiago de Guatemala
The town of Antigua Guatemala was founded as Santiago de Guatemala on July 25, 1524. The location of Antigua Guatemala was third official setting for the city of Santiago de Guatemala which was the metropolis and capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala for 231 years, which spanned from south of Mexico all the way to … Read more
Gastronomic Roots of Santiago de Guatemala
This Thursday we had a delightful lecture about the gastronomic roots of Santiago de Guatemala, now known as La Antigua Guatemala by the official historian of the city, Carlos Enrique Samayoa. It was good to hear the history and anecdotes about many of the recipes and people behind the emblematic dishes from Antigua Guatemala. Afterwards, … Read more
Festivities of Santiago in Antigua Guatemala
Today we have more good news from Antigua Guatemala. Today we celebrate the founding of the City of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, now La Antigua Guatemala. To celebrate, the people of Antigua Guatemala are throwing the house out the windows with parades, processions, concerts, pala encebado [greased pole], mass service and much more. … Read more
Plaza del Apóstol Santiago
The Plaza del Apóstol Santiago is located a few hundred meters from the Cerro de la Cruz mirador (look out point). It is easy to miss it if you don’t know it is there. In the middle of the plaza you’ll find the monument to Saint James Apostle.
On July 25 La Antigua Guatemala celebrates the Saint James Apostle Day with all kinds of festivities.
Santiago’s Fountain
Yesterday I showed you a fountain with four streams. Today we have a rare find. This fountain is inside the Museo de Armas de Santiago, which is next door to the Ayuntamiento building or Municipalidad. Right above the fountain’s tank is the Santiago Emblem (Saint James) embossed on the wall. Although I see many photos … Read more
Why is Saint James the Patron Saint of La Antigua Guatemala?
La Antigua Guatemala used to be the capital city of Guatemala (which meant the Central American territories at the time) and at the time its name was La Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, or The Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Saint James of the Knights … Read more
Architectonic Baroque Details
La Antigua Guatemala is full of hidden treasures which are visible at plain view. One must be ready to look for them though. The Santiago emblem tiles from yesterday are a very good example. Today’s baroque niche is another good example. Do you know where one can find this architectonic baroque detail in La Antigua … Read more
Escudo Estado de Guatemala en La Federación Del Centro
I found this emblem inside the Municipal palace in Antigua Guatemala. This was the emblem for the Central American Federation, sort of the United States of Central America, for which Guatemala City was the capital and government seat. This Central American Federation was basically the independent land formerly known as Reyno de Guatemala for which … Read more
Saint James Festivities in Antigua Guatemala
July 25 is La Antigua Guatemala Patron’s Day; otherwise known as the fair day of Saint James. Why is Saint James the patron saint of La Antigua Guatemala? La Antigua Guatemala used to be the capital city of Guatemala (Central America to be precise) and at the time its name was La Muy Noble y … Read more
The Guatemalan Flag Should Be This Blue…
Thanks to our resourceful readers now we know exactly what shade of blue should the Guatemalan Flag should be. Manolo provided us with the exact Guatemalan Congress Act 104-97, available as a PDF download, which determines the color blue as ISCC-NBS 177. Then, Manolo, who felt like procrastinating, decided that ISCC-NBS 177 was not something most people could understand as Celestial Blue, so he gave us a web site address where we could look at the specific shade of blue. He went even futher, and submitted the HTML codes #4285B4 and #4997D0 for the Guatemalan flag blue. Xensen, took this information and came back with Pantone Matching System 297 and 298 and a link to get an idea of the color. So with all this information at our disposal, we now know what the official blue should be used in the Guatemalan Flag (like the photo below). But, like I said yesterday, “… Reality dictates that the Guatemalan flag can be blue, any blue really, with or without the emblem or coat of arms.”
Saint James Day in La Antigua Guatemala
Santiago was a very popular name for the conquistadors to use as they rechristen the new lands of the American continent. If you check the entry for Santiago in Wikipedia, you will there are over 60 cities and towns throught the world that carry that name and that is a very short list since you could probably find about 60 towns with the Santiago name, just in Guatemala. But why was Santiago such a popular name for the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors?