Celebrating the Bicentennial of the Independence of Guatemala from Spain this September was enhanced by the inauguration of our new Museum: Museo Nacional de Arte de Guatemala (MUNAG) in the Royal Palace in Antigua. Fabulous displays of pre-Hispanic, Colonial and the Republican era objects with great descriptions! Audio devices are available in Spanish, English or Kakchikel (the Maya language spoken in this area) and truly bring to life 3,000 years of Guatemalan history. MUNAG is open Tuesday – Sunday 10am to 7pm with free admission in October!!

 

Ninety objects form part of the first phase of MUNAG with highlights including offerings from King K’utz Chman’s burial at Tak’alik Ab’aj with outstanding jade pieces. Stucco faces from El Mirador Basin are also a must to see. Fine paintings include the “Ecce Homo” by one of Guatemala’s finest painters, Thomas de Merlo (1694-1739), “Cena Eucarística” by the Mexican artist, Cristóbal de Villalpando (c.1649-1714) which was commissioned for the Franciscan monastery in Antigua and “El Cristo de los Angeles” by the Guatemalan artist, Juan José Rosales (1751-1816) which was commissioned for the new Cathedral in Guatemala City. The silver exhibit shows the finest workmanship. We also enjoyed the National Emblem of Guatemala by Juan Bautista Frener.

 

MUNAG is financed by the Centro Cultural del Real Palacio de los Capitanes de La Antigua Guatemala & the gift shop sponsors 35% destinated to the Obras Sociales del Hermano Pedro, 35% for the restoration of MUNAG works and 30% for Museum expenses. Stay tuned for the second phase to be installed in March, 2022.

 

This is truly a world class museum and an excellent addition to Antigua which was recently featured as one of the top 25 cities in the world by Travel & Leisure and the top #1 city in Central and South America.

 

Photo: Diego Espinoza, Miguel Estrada, Elizabeth Bell, Mirella Mendoza and José Miguel Chávez