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 offers diverse settings for photography. Maya temples emerge from rainforests, while lakes mirror volcanoes. Colonial cities display painted facades and cobblestone streets. Nature reserves, thermal springs, and caves add to the photographic range of the country.
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