Iglesia de San Francisco, Catholic church in Zona 1, Guatemala.
Iglesia de San Francisco is a Catholic church in Zona 1 featuring twisted Salomonic columns at its facade and sixteen vaulted niches that house saint statues. The interior shows a carefully arranged sanctuary with an attached chapel and a neighboring museum displaying religious objects and historical relics.
The building was constructed in 1702 by architect Diego de Porres to serve the spiritual community for generations. A series of earthquakes in 1717, 1751, and 1773 destroyed major portions of the structure, prompting craftspeople to undertake extensive reconstruction work multiple times.
The church is dedicated to Saint Francis and reflects the religious devotion that shaped the city during colonial times. Visitors can observe the veneration of local and international saints displayed in the wall niches, showing the spiritual life of the community that continues today.
Access to the church runs through a garden on the northern side of the property, where visitors find a peaceful entrance. The adjoining museum with its collections is reachable during the same visit, so you can explore both sites without much effort.
In the southern section of the complex, monastery ruins preserve damaged frescoes among earthquake debris. These overlooked remnants show how craftspeople created religious artworks before natural forces devastated them.
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