Quetzaltenango, Guatemala — Central America

Cultural Center

Casa de la Cultura

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2018

1. Cultural Center Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Casa de la Cultura
Cuando se construyó el templo del Espíritu Santo y el Convento de los Franciscanos, se destinó un lugar para el Camposanto o "Cementerio de Ánimas". Este cementerio abarcaba donde hoy se encuentra la Casa de la Cultura. En 1872, después del triunfo de la Revolución Liberal, el Jefe Político aprueba la ocupación del Convento y el camposanto, destinándose para alhóndiga para venta de harina y cárcel. Ese mismo año se acuerda la exhumación de los cadáveres del camposanto y la construcción de la cárcel, la cual fue dirigida por el Arq. Domingo Goicolea. A finales del siglo XIX fue sede temporal de la Municipalidad En 1955 deja de ser cárcel. En 1962 se inaugura oficialmente la Casa de la Cultura. El 10 de noviembre de 1977 se declara "Monumento Nacional".

Pie de dibujo: Fotografia de cuando se estaba construyendo el edificio

English:
Cultural Center
When the Espíritu Santo church and the Franciscan convent were built, a site was designated for the cemetery known as the "Cementerio de Ánimas." This cemetery was situated at the location of the present-day

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Casa de la Cultura. In 1872, after the triumph of the Liberal Revolution, the governor approved the occupation of the convent and cemetery, converting them in prison and warehouse for the sale of flour. That same year, exhumations were carried out and a prison was constructed under the direction of the architect Domingo Goicolea. Toward the end of the 1800s, City Hall was temporarily located in this building. In 1955, it ceased to function as a prison. In 1962, the Casa de la Cultura was officially inaugurated. On 10 November 1977, it was declared a "National Monument."

Caption: Casa de la Cultura under construction.

Erected by Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo, Cooperación Española y otras organizaciones.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Man-Made Features. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1977.

Location. 14° 50.007′ N, 91° 31.125′ W. Marker is in Quetzaltenango. Marker can be reached from 7a Calle just east of 12 Avenida, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Quetzaltenango 09001, Guatemala. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Death of Remigio Mérida (within shouting distance of this marker); Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (within shouting distance of this marker); La Exposición Artesanal e Industrial

Cultural Center Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2018

2. Cultural Center Markers

The markers can be seen along the front of the Cultural Center in this view.

(about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Site of the Discovery of the Virgin of Sorrows (about 90 meters away); The Quetzaltenango City Hall (about 120 meters away); Rafael Landívar University (about 240 meters away); Juan José Ortega (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The German School of Guatemala (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quetzaltenango.

Cultural Center of Quetzaltenango image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2018

3. Cultural Center of Quetzaltenango

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2018

4. Cultural Center of Quetzaltenango

The markers can be hard to see from street level due to the many vendors surrounding it.

An additional 1972 marker on the 100th anniversary of the Third Court of Appeals in Quetzaltenango image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2018

5. An additional 1972 marker on the 100th anniversary of the Third Court of Appeals in Quetzaltenango

Primer centenario de la instalación de la Sala Tercera de la Corte de Apelaciones, con sede en esta ciudad. Quezaltenango
1872 – 4 de septiembre – 1972

An additional 1970 marker for Julio Cesar de la Roca, Cultural Center founder and supporter image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2018

6. An additional 1970 marker for Julio Cesar de la Roca, Cultural Center founder and supporter

The Penitentiary, Quetzaltenango image. Click for full size.

circa 1884

7. The Penitentiary, Quetzaltenango

This image from Appleton's Guide to Mexico, Including a Chapter on Guatemala shows the building around 1884 when it was used as a jail.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3. submitted on January 16, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 15, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 7. submitted on July 15, 2020, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.