Castillo de Dorión, Medieval castle in Villa Nueva, Guatemala
Castillo de Dorión is a stone castle near Lake Amatitlán featuring European military architecture with local influences, towers, thick walls, and surrounding gardens. The building displays a mix of fortress design and decorative elements characteristic of its construction period.
Carlos Dorión Nanne built the castle between 1935 and 1938 on land granted by General Jorge Ubico, incorporating regional building techniques. The project arose during a period of infrastructure development and political influence in the region.
The castle hosted Venetian Nights celebrations during the Pepesca Festivals, where General Ubico participated in boat rides to his residence, El Morlón. These events reflected the site's social importance in local festival culture.
The castle is about 24 kilometers from Guatemala City and accessible via the La Barca-Villa Nueva road, next to the municipal Paseo del Lago park. Visitors should explore the grounds on foot and come prepared for simple pathways throughout the site.
A community of Orthodox nuns from the Holy Trinity Monastery lives on the grounds and maintains the castle. The site served as a filming location for the 1957 movie El Tesoro del Fantasma.
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