SHATTERED CAPITALS OF CENTRAL AMERICA 



203 



stroyed all the houses 

 and buried a great 

 number of the inhab- 

 itants under the ruins ; 

 among the many, 

 Doiia Beatriz de la 

 Cueva, the widow of 

 Pedro de Alvarado, 

 lost her life." 



the second capital 

 is also destroyed 



The capital was re- 

 moved to a new loca- 

 tion, a few miles far- 

 ther away from the 

 base of the Volcan de 

 Agua, and rebuilt in 

 great magnificence, as 

 befitted the govern- 

 mental and ecclesiasti- 

 cal center of all Cen- 

 tral America (as well 

 as Chiapas, Mexico). 

 This second capital is 

 now called Antigua 

 Guatemala. 



The various orders, 

 including the Fran- 

 ciscans, Dominicans, 

 Capuchins, Jesuits, 

 Recollects, Merceda- 

 rians, Bethlehemites, 

 etc., and the sister- 

 hoods of Santa Clara 

 and Santa Teresa, 

 built monasteries, nun- 

 neries, hospitals, col- 

 leges, churches, and 

 shrines and the civil 

 government erected 

 many public buildings, 

 including the splendid 

 Palace of the Captains. 



But numerous earthquake shocks, often 

 associated with eruptions of the Volcan 

 de Fuego, continued to disrupt the most 

 solid constructions. Great damage was 

 done in 1565 and again in 1575-76 and 

 1577. In 1 581 there was an eruption of 

 the volcano, and such vast quantities of 

 ashes were thrown out that lights were 

 necessary in midday. 



The years 1585 and 1586 were mem- 

 orable for an association of earthquake 

 and volcanic eruptions, beginning on 



ONE OF OVER FORTY CHURCHES IN THE SHATTERED CITY OE 

 ANTIGUA GUATEMALA 



This is a view of the ancient cathedral, looking from the apse 

 toward the front. The central part of the nave has fallen, as has the 

 dome. Antigua was the second capital of Guatemala and was de- 

 stroyed by natural forces in 1773 (see text, page 204). 



January 16 of the former year and ex- 

 tending till December 23 of the latter, 

 when the greater part of the city was de- 

 stroyed and many persons killed. On 

 February 18, 1651, there were violent 

 vibrations that caused much damage. A 

 chronicle states : 



"The tiles from the roofs of the houses 

 were dispersed in all directions, like light 

 straws by a gust of wind ; the bells of 

 the churches were rung by the vibra- 

 tions ; masses of rock were detached 

 from the mountains ; and even the wild 



