Guatemala City in Guatemala Department, — Central America

Shopping Arcade

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 19, 2018

1. Shopping Arcade Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Portal del Comercio
Tipo: Arquitectura Civil
Construcción: Siglo XVIII
Estilo: Neoclásico

Con la demarcación de la Plaza Mayor en la Nueva Ciudad de Guatemala, se dispuso al sur el Portal de Comercio, Real Aduana, Estanco del Tabaco y el Correo. La edificación original fue diseñada por el arquitecto Marcos Ibáñez y estaba compuesta de arcos de medio punto; se le conocía también como "Portal de Mercaderes" y "Portal de Aycinena".

Los terremotos de 1917 y 1918 destruyeron por completo el Portal. Fue reconstruido en 1924 por el arquitecto Juan Domergue, quien basándose en las columnas del Palacio Arzobispal y del Colegio de Infantes, lo integró a los otros edificios de la Plaza. En este Portal se instaló la primera vitrina en Guatemala, en el almacén de Ángel Muttini.

English:
Shopping Arcade¹
Type: Civil Architecture
Construction: XVIII Century
Style: Neoclassical

With the demarcation of the Plaza Mayor [Main Constitution Square] in the New City of Guatemala, the “Portal de Comercio”, the Royal Customs, the Tobacco Shop and the Post

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Office were laid out south. The original building was designed by architect Marcos Ibáñez and consisted of semicircular archs. It was also known as "Portal de Mercaderes" [Merchant’s Arcade] and "Portal de Aycinena" [Aycinena Arcade].

The 1917 and 1918 earthquakes completely destroyed the Arcade. It was re-built in 1924 by architect Juan Domergue, who based on the columns of the Archbishop's Palace and the “Colegio de Infantes” School integrated it to the other buildings of the Square. The first shop window in Guatemala was displayed in this arcade, in the retail store of Angel Muttini.

¹ A space for a shopping district or centre, in which one or more buildings or a main complex of stores representing merchandisers with intersecting walkways that enable customers to walk from unit to unit.

Erected by Municipalidad de Guatemala.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 14° 38.476′ N, 90° 30.838′ W. Marker is in Guatemala City, Guatemala (Guatemala Department). Marker is at the intersection of 6a Avenida and 8a Calle, on the left when traveling south on 6a Avenida. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Guatemala City, Guatemala 01001, Guatemala. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 19, 2018

2. Shopping Arcade Marker

The marker is visible here at the end of the Portal del Comercio.

are within walking distance of this marker. The Central American Act of Independence (a few steps from this marker); Paseo de la Sexta (a few steps from this marker); Assassination of Oliverio Castañeda de Leon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Aycinena Arcade (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Tragedy of the “Virgen de la Asunción” Safe Home (about 120 meters away); National Day of Dignity for the Victims of Guatemala's Armed Conflict (about 120 meters away); Memorial to the Victims of Guatemala's Armed Conflict (about 150 meters away); Guatemalan Revolution of 1944 (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guatemala City.

A view east along the Portal del Comercio image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 19, 2018

3. A view east along the Portal del Comercio

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.