The white church
Among stepped houses.
Murray Foubister — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Hermann Luyken — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Hermann Luyken — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ericwaltr — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Simon Burchell — CC BY-SA 3.0
San Antonio Palopó is a small town whose houses step up steep volcanic slopes on the eastern shore of Lake Atitlán. It is among the quietest and most scenic of the lake towns, overlooking blue water and the volcanoes on the far shore, and it is known for its Kaqchikel people, their indigo textiles and its blue pottery. The town rises from a shoreline at 1,562 m, with terraced buildings on rugged ground. After the Spanish conquest it came under the Franciscans, and its white church still stands at its heart. Residents celebrate their patron, Saint Anthony of Padua, on 13 June each year, and continue backstrap-loom weaving. From boats you see the white church amid stepped, coloured houses above the water, with green mountains behind. Inside the town are steep alleys and stairways, with workshops showing blue and white ceramics beside fabric known for its indigo colour. The road from Santa Catarina gives a wide view combining the lake, volcanoes and sunset light. It is about 7.5 km in a straight line from Panajachel, reached by road through Santa Catarina Palopó or by boat. Climbing its alleys is tiring, so wear suitable shoes and bring water. Buy directly from workshops, and ask before photographing people. Avoid mountain roads after dark, and ask about road conditions after rain.
Among stepped houses.
Blue and white.
Volcanoes on the far shore.
East shore of Lake Atitlán, Sololá
By road through Santa Catarina Palopó, or by boat from Panajachel.
Saint Anthony's feast is on 13 June each year.