Santiago Atitlán, Guatamala

Santiago Atitlán, Guatamala

Santiago Atitlán Guatamala

Santiago Atitlán is a town and municipality in the Sololá department of Guatemala. It sits on the shore of Lake Atitlán at an elevation of 5,105 feet (1,556 m), in a bay between two volcanoes. Volcán San Pedro rises to 2,846 metres (9,337 ft) to the west of the town and Volcán Tolimán reaches 3,144 metres (10,315 ft) to the southeast. Volcán Atitlán, with an elevation of 3,516 metres (11,535 ft), is located to the south-southeast. Santiago Atitlán lies to the south-west of Panajachel, across the lake. Major roads reach Lake Atitlán at San Lucas Tolimán and Panajachel, and a road links Santiago with San Lucas Tolimán. Boats connect the many communities around the lake. Most residents are indigenous Maya. In pre-Columbian times, Santiago Atitlán was the capital of the Tz’utujil people and was known as Chuitinamit. The town is home to the Cojolya Weaving Centre and Museum, founded by the Cojolya Association of Maya Women Weavers. The museum presents the history, tradition and techniques of backstrap-loom weaving, the development of traditional Tz’utujil dress, and the culture of the indigenous people of Santiago Atitlán. Santiago Atitlán was the scene of significant state-sponsored violence during Guatemala’s civil war. Notable incidents include the assassination of Roman Catholic priest Stanley Rother by right-wing death squads on 28 July 1981, and the massacre of 14 people (with 21 others wounded) when the Guatemalan Army opened fire on a crowd of unarmed civilians on 2 December 1990.
Recommended airport
Quezaltenango Airport (AAZ)
Nearby destinations
  • Chichicastenango a 34.60 km
  • Atitlan Lake a 6.36 km
  • Reserva Patrocinio a 41.93 km