Colonial Guatemala, ca 1950

some of the oldest and most picturesque architecture of the American continent is found in the colonial cities of Guatemala largest of the Central American Republic's erected by Spanish colonists and meant to last forever both as homes and as fortresses against possible savage uprisings there has been no need to replace with new Europe building the original emphases of such communities as quetzaltenango whose residents enjoy a loose seclusion and beautiful old homes withdrawn behind plain on promising walls from the street in Kitts out an angle we see no gardens but nevertheless behind these walls are colorful flower filled patios and gardeners enjoy a thriving business and this old see these doorways copper studded and handcarved came to America with the conquistadores and have done service for hundreds of years they are to be found in all the older larger philosophers ancient infinitely picturesque streets winding between Guatemalan homes are often the setting for medieval as well as modern scenes the old religious customs that added a note of mysticism to the town and city life of New Spain are still in practice and here we see one in Kitts out an angle some Latin American countries prohibit this type of religious procession in the open streets but Guatemala does not interfere with religion in any manner whatsoever these simple people wending their way to the cathedral dublin candles pray and dust fulfill a sacred vow may tie up traffic in the narrow thoroughfares for as long as they please and no one will mention the matter they are of the poor or laboring class but it will be observed that they have made a great effort at dressing themselves circumspectly some even affecting unaccustomed ties in their solemn desire to display proper respect for their little ceremony although there is a wide variation in the homes of kids mountain tango the difference is live mostly in the interiors for from the streets they assume a modest similarity this is a middle-class residential section of town and here is a neighborhood that has definitely become maybe bien de or a tenement district you will notice that the streets are at all times orderly and very nearly empty urban Guatemala takers lived their lives indoors or at least behind walls 10 Guardian volcanoes were formally charged with a protection of the ancient Indian city of Zillah who before the Spanish conquered that thriving community and renamed it gets out an angle here we see one of these impressive Peaks which is looked down upon city life in this exact spot since before history these urchins observe our filmmaking and dignified curiosity they do know they are the subjects of our effort as the quantum Oh takers will rarely pose willingly for picture-taking a quaint Civic Improvement in quetzaltenango is the footbridge this well-constructed stone arch has convenient stand protected the pedestrians of many generations from the periodic flooding of streets which often leaves them impassable for hours at a time a number of these bridges serve the city in this manner while being so ornamental that they are forever remembered as one gets out an uncaused characteristic attractions burned away the most fascinating T of Guatemala is Antigua ancient and now abandoned capital entered through this arch which discloses our first glimpse of the volcano agua it seems that Antigua also has her Street flood problem but she solves with such primitive little wooden affairs as this which is portable and effective enough for the anti genious built for a population ten times its present size the modern residents have their choice of hundreds of more or less ruined with more or less restored dwelling places that before the great earthquake of 1773 housed the wealthiest and most aristocratic families of New Spain marvelous ruins such as the capuchin nunnery once occupied by a thousand women of the Capuchin Order are the delight of artists and students and here we have the perfectly restored Pocono house celebrated by outstanding modern writers photographers and painters stationed at its famous corner and Macaulay Attila no blessa each old stone and grille of this gracious structure is alive with a 400 year old history that is encompassed every phase of the dramatic contrast that is comprised the unique and touching life of Antigua it's fascinating restoration by the Wilson Poconos attract hundreds of visitors yearly to the house which is always under the watchful eye of old Maria the Indian housekeeper Maria's life in the Casa predates its purchase and renewal by the Poconos in homes such as this a gracious race lived and to a certain extent still lives in Antigua amid flower Vedek patios tasteful colonial appointments behind wooden grilled and shuttered windows of great beauty today the propanol house is as integral of part of Antigua as are the towns most pretentious religious relics modern tendencies appear however and in her civic life an enlightened educational system and take more compares favorably with contemporary world standards just around the corner from the casa Pavano is the normal school for senoritas where 300 small girls are being prepared for life in a modern world there is certainly nothing remarkable in the sight of school girls home were found in any client however the spirit that infuses Antigua even today is very different from our conception of modernity and it is precisely because she has maintained her individuality through the ages the Antigua is proving a never-ending source of delight to present-day visitors this quiet street at lone Indian figure is one of her unfailingly picturesque scenes one must look twice to identify this unimportant cottage door as the corner grocery store here we have an example of the small unassuming but inevitable patio occupied and enjoyed by people of the labouring classes close by a famous mention of a mayor of Antigua in the days of her elegance escaped serious damage in the big earthquake having been perfectly restored the alqasas' has been open to the tourists as a luxurious home for his use as headquarters while exploring the enchanted city of its location it is known that the original fabulously wealthy owners were wont to replace the water in this fountain with wines of Spain on festive occasions lovely doorways windows fixtures are exactly as they were first designed and installed but part of the ancient glory of Antigua that has not been restored this is what remains of San Francisco once the home of a great religious community and an internationally respected University San Francisco was one of the most delicately executed and artistically decorated architectural efforts of all colonial Central America and here is the shell of the old cathedral though portions of it have been restored and are still in use by Antigonus half buried in highland jungle and coffee fingers one discovers the remarkably beautiful ruins of what must have been one of the most exquisite convents of all time Rekha Lexi owned several of the perfect arches featured throughout the magnificent structures survived in minimizing the breathtaking achievement that it was although much of the meaning underlying the construction of these great religious centers as well as their ancient glory is now beyond recall they are probably actually more famous today than ever before through the appreciation of their artists historians and archaeologists who devotedly haunt the ruins Antiqua has finally had restored to her a measure of her original significance