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Landmark

Santa Catalina Arch

Antigua's icon: a yellow arch with a clock over 5a Avenida Norte, with Volcán de Agua in the background.

The Santa Catalina Arch is one of the distinguishable landmarks in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala, located on 5th Avenue North. Built in the 17th century, it originally connected the Santa Catalina conv
Chad Davis · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Santa Catalina Arch is Antigua Guatemala's most famous postcard. It was built in the late 17th century to connect the two buildings of the Santa Catalina Mártir convent, which stood on either side of the street: the nuns lived in seclusion, and the arch, with its covered passageway, let them cross from one side to the other without being seen.

The clock at the top was added in the 19th century, when the convent was no longer in use. Today the arch frames one of the most photographed views in Central America: looking south along 5a Avenida Norte, Volcán de Agua appears right beneath the arch.

What's around it

5a Avenida Norte, known as the Arch street, is lined with craft shops, cafés and restaurants. A few steps to the north is La Merced church, and Parque Central is a five-minute walk to the south.

Automatically translated from Spanish.

Tips

  • Come early in the morning: there are fewer people and the volcano is usually clear.
  • The classic photo is taken from 5a Avenida Norte, half a block north of the arch, looking south.
  • At night the arch is lit up and the street is lively.

Location

Hotels near Santa Catalina Arch

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