Iglesia de Santo Tomás, Catholic church in Chichicastenango, Guatemala
Iglesia de Santo Tomás is a large white church at the center of Chichicastenango with a wide staircase and colonial architecture from the Spanish period. The building sits above the surrounding plaza, with its main facade facing an open gathering space.
The church was completed in 1545 and replaced a pre-Hispanic Maya temple that once stood on the same ground. The original stone platform with its steps was preserved as part of the colonial construction.
K'iche' Maya spiritual leaders perform ceremonies on the church steps, where incense and candles burn as part of rituals that blend Catholic and indigenous traditions. Visitors witness how local people use this space to honor both faiths together.
The church is open daily and busier during Thursday and Sunday markets when crowds gather around the steps and plaza. Visitors should be respectful of ongoing ceremonies and aware of photography restrictions in certain areas.
The steps transform into a flower market where locals sell colorful petals used in religious ceremonies conducted on the stairs. These flowers play a central role in ritual practices that visitors can observe during their visit.
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