Central America
Guatemala
Sacatepequez Department
Antigua
Places to visit in Antigua
Cathedral de Santiago
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Cathedral de Santiago

See all things to do
See all things to do
Cathedral de Santiago
4.5
#13 of 78 things to do in Antigua
Religious Sites
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
The original church, constructed in 1543 was damaged in an earthquake and was rebuilt in the 17th century.
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Restaurants
426 within 5 kms
El Criollo
216
0.2 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Steakhouse • Grill • Guatemalan
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0.3 km₹₹₹₹ • Healthy • Central American • Vegetarian Friendly
Restaurante Las Antorchas
748
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • International • Barbecue • Grill
Hector's Deli
147
0.1 km₹ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Wachuma
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0.1 km₹ • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
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65
0.2 km₹₹₹₹ • International • Grill • Guatemalan
La Toscana
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0.2 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
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1,046
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • European • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
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614
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • International • Contemporary • Fusion
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
441 reviews
Excellent
228
Very good
165
Average
46
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Mountainman827
Custer, SD1,304 contributions
Have to see cathedral
Dec 2022 • Couples
Amazing architecture to see. Different from most cathedrals we have been to with detailed painting on exterior. Lots of street sellers that didn’t leave group alone without stern no.
Written 2 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael W
Redding, CT1,112 contributions
Earthquake ruins
Nov 2022 • Friends
Quite a few of the reviews I saw for this location actually do not relate to the cathedral ruins but the Iglesia de la Merced, which is still in use and very well maintained. This site hasn’t been in use since being destroyed by an earthquake in (I believe) the 18th century. Only Q 20 entrance fee so worth a few minutes of your time.
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,353 contributions
A 15 minute stop to visit the ruins
Sep 2022 • Couples
There is quite a lot of history to this building. After being built in 1545 the cathedral suffered a series of earthquakes including the 1773 earthquake that destroyed Antigua and caused the capital to be moved to Guatemala City.

Following the earthquake over the next century the building was only partially reconstructed. The current parish of San Jose can be seen from the central plaza but doesn’t occupy the entire block. Behind San Jose lies the ruins of the original cathedral.

To view the ruins you can pay 20Q. This area isn’t huge and will only take perhaps 15-20 minutes to explore. There is a a couple of crypts in this area also. The activity offers the customer a chance to take some cool photos but is probably a bit overpriced.
Written 20 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca M
220 contributions
Historical
May 2021
Loved the history of the church. We were able to visit inside and pray. Much to learn and the architecture was awesome
Written 5 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flitz8-A foodie travels
Amsterdam, The Netherlands2,988 contributions
Lovely cathedral
Jan 2021 • Solo
Lovely cathedral in center, nice when it's lit up at night as well, didn't enter it but looked from outside
Written 10 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,621 contributions
Visiting the ruins of the old "Catedral Primada de Santiago de los Caballeros"!
Nov 2019
Its construction started around 1541 and 1545. Along the centuries, it has been built and rebuilt many times, due to the major earthquakes that have struck the country. In 1680, the church was finally consecrated: "Catedral Primada de Santiago de los Caballeros", devoted to the cult of St. James, the Patron Saint of Guatemala. This Cathedral had a large dome, multiple chapels, naves, important paintings, statues, golden carved altars and an underground mortuary crypt. But the earthquakes continued, in 1717 ("Terremotos de San Miguel"), in 1751 ("Terremotos de Guatemala") and in 1773 ("Terremotos de Santa María"). Right after this last earthquake, which destroyed almost the whole city of "Santiago de los Caballeros" (the actual "Antigua"), the Spanish authorities decided to build a new capital city - "La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción" (the actual "Ciudad de Guatemala") and a new cathedral - the actual "Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santiago de Guatemala", in Ciudad de Guatemala. The ruins of the old "Catedral Primada de Santiago de los Caballeros" were left behind and a great part of them can still be visited in Antigua. I strongly recommend this visit as the ruins are very interesting, extremely beautiful and near Antigua's "Parque Central". Unmissable! Enjoy!
Written 13 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
301lisa33
Coventry, UK1,875 contributions
Central site
Oct 2019
The cathedral is, as usual, located on the central plaza. We did not go in but externally this building does not disappoint. Very grand
Written 19 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blindman20002000
Davie, FL376 contributions
Nice Church and ruins
Mar 2020
This church is not to be missed if visiting the city of Antigua. The ruins of the old church are immense and interesting to see. Bring your camera.
Written 3 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,783 contributions
Pretty facade
Feb 2020 • Couples
This pretty cathedral sits opposite the central park of Antigua. It has a beautiful facade covered with carvings and statues. It makes for a nice photo.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chelsealynne
Pensacola, FL955 contributions
Cathedral de Santiago
Jan 2020 • Solo
You can enter the church for free and I highly recommend it. Don’t wear tank tops and short shorts ladies it’s looked down upon. I caught a bit of an English service on a Sunday afternoon. Lovely facade.
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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