Legislative Palace of Guatemala

The Legislative Palace is a government building with a 50-meter (164-foot) facade that displays 18 Ionic columns as its main architectural feature. The exterior walls are decorated with copper window ornaments in Greco-Roman style, creating a formal classical appearance throughout the building's length.

This building went up between 1926 and 1930 under President Lázaro Chacón, after earthquakes in 1917 and 1918 had damaged the city. It was built on ground where the Economic Society of Friends of the Country, founded in 1794, once stood.

The wooden doors display baroque, churrigueresque, and mudejar design elements that show how European and local building traditions came together. You can see this blend in the carved details and ornamental patterns throughout the entrance areas.

The interior is organized in two main sections, with a spacious lobby that connects to session halls, reception rooms, and offices. Since this is an active government building, access may be limited during official business or closed to the public at certain times.

The structure sits on the ground where the Economic Society of Friends of the Country once operated from 1794 onwards. This layering of different periods shows how a single location can shift meaning as a city grows and changes over generations.

Location: Guatemala City

Inception: 1934

GPS coordinates: 14.63909,-90.51129

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02