Santa Catalina Arch, Colonial bridge in Antigua, Guatemala
The Santa Catalina Arch spans 23 meters across Fifth Avenue North, featuring a central clock tower and yellow walls with white trim details.
Constructed in 1694, this concrete bridge initially connected the Santa Catalina convent to a school, enabling nuns to cross without public interaction.
The structure received its French-made Lamy and Lacroix clock during the Central American Federation period of the 1830s, marking time for local residents.
The arch stands as a central reference point for navigation through Antigua's streets, with numerous restaurants and shops located in its vicinity.
The clock mechanism requires manual winding every three days to maintain accurate timekeeping, continuing a tradition that spans nearly two centuries.
Location: Antigua Guatemala
Length: 23 m
Made from material: concrete
GPS coordinates: 14.55961,-90.73414
Latest update: May 11, 2025 14:21
South America preserves a monumental heritage that reflects centuries of history, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the contemporary era. This collection includes archaeological sites, colonial-era religious buildings, public squares, and modern artistic creations scattered across the continent. Each monument tells a part of South American history, whether it be ancient fortresses, Baroque churches, or recent sculptures. Among these sites are the Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala, a 17th-century construction that once connected two convents; the Public Market in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a functioning 19th-century commercial building; and Desert Hand in Chile, a contemporary sculpture of 11 meters rising from the Atacama Desert. The Middle of the World monument near Quito, Ecuador, marks the equator line, while the Christ of the Pacific overlooks Lima from its hill. These monuments, whether of pre-Columbian, colonial, or modern origin, provide tangible insight into the cultural and architectural development of the South American continent.
Guatemala offers Maya ruins, volcanoes and colonial buildings for photographers. The landscape features lakes, rainforests and beaches. Cities display Spanish architecture and indigenous markets.
Guatemala contains several photographic subjects within its borders. Maya ruins such as Tikal, Yaxha and Quiriguá stand in the tropical forests of Petén and Izabal. Colonial architecture appears in Antigua Guatemala, where the Santa Catalina Arch and painted facades line cobblestone streets. Lake Atitlán sits between three volcanoes, with towns like Santiago Atitlán and San Marcos La Laguna offering different perspectives on the water. Active volcanoes including Pacaya and Acatenango provide opportunities to photograph lava flows and crater landscapes. The highland areas of Alta Verapaz hold Semuc Champey, a natural limestone pool, and the caves of Lanquín and Candelaria. Hot springs at Fuentes Georginas lie near Quetzaltenango in the western highlands. Chichicastenango Market documents textile trade and indigenous ceremonies. Livingston on the Rio Dulce shows Garifuna culture on the Caribbean coast, while Monterrico offers black sand beaches on the Pacific. Less visited sites like Dos Pilas, Takalik Abaj and Iximche add pre-Columbian contexts. The collection covers both well known and remote locations across Guatemala's varied geography.
Volcán de Fuego
18.4 km
Volcán de Agua
10.4 km
Acatenango
16.5 km
La Merced Church
230 m
Antigua Guatemala Cathedral
367 m
Church and Convent of Capuchins
227 m
Cerro de la Cruz, Antigua Guatemala
606 m
Palacio de los Capitanes Generales
399 m
Castillo de Dorión
18 km
Ayuntamiento of Antigua Guatemala
251 m
Chimaltenango Central Park
14.6 km
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
512 m
Church and Convent of Society of Jesus
281 m
College of the Company of Jesus
233 m
La Recolección Architectural Complex
758 m
Hermano Pedro's Hospital
759 m
Candelaria Parrish
881 m
El Calvario Church
1.7 km
Parroquia de San Sebastián
557 m
Casa Popenoe
613 m
Ermita de Santa Isabel de Hungría
1.8 km
Estadio Municipal de Bárcena
13 km
Ermita de San Jerónimo
497 m
Royal Palace of the Captains General
382 m
Parque Molino De Las Flores 1
17.4 km
Templo Santa Teresa De Jesus
172 m
MUNAG - Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala
396 m
Bosque Las Hojarascas
14.5 kmReviews
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