Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango, Plateau of Guatemala
Chichicastenango is a small city of almost 2000 mts of height in the Guatemalan plateau. Is located 2 or 3 hours from Guatemala City (145km), its a region where many fruits and vegetables of excellent quality take place, some for local consumption others for export. In Chichicastenango, Thursdays and Sundays the traditional market takes place, considered the greatest of Central America.
This market is visited and very attractive to the different ethnic groups: Kackchiqueles, K'ekchíes, You will love the great mixture of colors, languages and customs.
Chichicastenango exists from pre-Hispanic times and played an important rol in the region. This region offers to the customers a varied types of products, such as: textiles embroidered by hand or in looms: blouses, table cloths, bags, trousers, strips, etc. Also belts, ceramics, and a great variety of masks, some used in old traditional dances. You can choose between a great variety and quality of objects, and the prices can be negotiated!
Another very important aspect of Chichicastenango is the church of Santo Tomás. This church has more than 400 years of existance; old Dominican monastery, venerated it and many persons come to look for the intersections between men and forces of nature to have good harvests and health, burning incense and candles within the church and on the 18 launching slips that represent the 18 months of 20 days of the Mayan calendar.
