The yellow facade
White plaster ornament.
Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium — Public domain · Bruno Rijsman — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Bruno Rijsman — CC BY-SA 2.0 · amslerPIX — CC BY 4.0 · Photo by Infrogmation, 1979 — CC BY-SA 3.0
La Merced Church is one of the finest buildings in Antigua Guatemala, with a yellow facade covered in delicate white ornament and among the best known pictures of this World Heritage city. It is an outstanding example of Guatemalan «ultra-Baroque», and it remains a working church and a centre for religious processions. The architect Juan de Dios Estrada oversaw its building from 1749, and it opened in 1767. The Mercedarian friars came to the region early with the Spanish, moving with the city to the Panchoy Valley. Earthquakes struck the city again and again, and its thick walls and low towers look well suited to that. The facade is covered in twisted columns and plaster grapes and leaves, with statues of Saint Peter Nolasco, Our Lady of Mercy and other saints. A big grey dome rises behind, and the adjoining convent holds the 18th-century Fountain of the Fish, 27 m across, one of the largest colonial fountains in Latin America, shaped like a water lily. It is about 550 m in a straight line from San José Cathedral, so it fits easily into a walk. Pictures are best in the morning, when the sun lights the facade. This is a place of worship, so enter quietly and dress modestly. It gets very crowded during Holy Week, so check the processions. Reaching the fountain may need a small separate fee.
White plaster ornament.
A huge water lily.
Behind the church.
1a Calle Poniente, Antigua Guatemala
Santa Catalina Arch and Old AntiguaThe emblem of Antigua Guatemala, a yellow arch spanning the cobbled main street,2 minutes walk4.9
Las Capuchinas ConventLas Capuchinas Convent is one of the finest ruin sites in Antigua Guatemala, onc4 minutes walk
Cerro de la Cruz LookoutA lookout on a green hill north of Antigua, marked by a large stone cross, with 5 minutes walk4.5
San José CathedralSan José Cathedral looks onto the central square of Antigua Guatemala with a whi7 minutes walkMorning, when the sun lights the facade.
Very, so check the procession times.