|Altar Used For Human Sacrifice.|
In 1524, when the Spanish invaded Guatemala they found the Pre-columbian populations divided into lordships, which according to their language can be divided into two large families: Mayan and Nahuatl.
The majority of languages spoken in the country are of Mayan origin; the Pipil group lived on the southeastern cost of Guatemala and the west of El Salvador.
The main lordships existing on what is now Guatemala territory were Quiches, Cakchiqueles, Tzutuhiles, Mames, kek’chies, Pocomchíes, Pocomames, Itzaes, Chortíes and Lacandones.
Each one of the Lordship had a capital city; The Cakchiqueles or Kakchiquel; had Iximché (pronounced eesh-im-chay), the Quichés had Utatlán, the Mames had Zaculeu, the Tzutuhiles had Chuitinamit, the Itzaes had Tayasal, the Kek’chies had Tezulutlán and ruins of Mixco Viejo, which date back to 1,300 A.D., were the capital city of the Pocomam lordship.
The Cakchiquel Maya were powerful warriors and skillful builders of fortified cities, as stucco facings of many stone structures here are still intact, despite the numerous earthquakes that have shaken this land. You can also see the ball courts, built near four plazas, and visualize the anxious faces of both players and spectators as it was a sacred game.
The Mayan chronicle entitled Annals of the Cakchiqueles places the foundation of Iximché in the year 1470, it also mentions the constant battles these warriors fought against the Quiché and other enemies.
The ruins of Iximché are made up of four large plazas that relate to distinct ritual and residential compounds attached to each other, end to end along the plateau. Each plaza contained from one to three temples, a number of surrounding palaces, and several small platforms intended for ceremonial rites.
Iximche is known to have an elaborate market set aside in it during the Postclasic Era. It was made of a square plaza area for the market with installed government officials to collect taxes, enforce rules, and to settle disputes.
The first Spanish settlement on Guatemalan soil was established by Alvarado on July 25, 1524 in Iximché. It was called the City of Santiago, perhaps because this apostle of Christ, James, was also God’s warrior. The Spanish made Iximche the first capital of Guatemala.
You may stay for a few hours in Iximché looking at the ruins of the city, specially the pyramids which still sleep under a blanket of vegetation.
Then the normal tours will take you to Panajachel on the shores of Atitlán Lake. The road goes through a lot of Quiché and Cakchiquel villages, with an open air markets. There is very rich vegetation on both sides along the road until you reach beautiful Atitlán Lake.
We suggest getting a hotel in Guatemala City and then letting them arrange either a car or a tour of Iximche, Guatemala. We prefer Clark Tours, who have been in business for over 80 years. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. We have a link to Clark Tours In Guatemala below, if you wish to contact them directly.
Iximche is a nice side trip if you are going to Chichicastenango or the Guatemala Highlands.
We do this all the time, when traveling in Guatemala. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem doing it this way!
The La Aurora International Airport (IATA: GUA, ICAO: MGGT) serves Guatemala City, Guatemala. It is located 6 km south of Guatemala City's center. It is administered by the Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil.
Therefore, we have placed a link to Priceline.Com on this page so you can arrange your flights into and out of Guatemala; as well as your hotel, when visiting this area.
|This Link Is To Clark Tours In Guatemala|
You Will Leave deLange.org
|Ball Court.||Ball Court.|
|Ball Court.||Plaza & Observatory.|
|Altar Used For|
Highlands, Guatemala, Page One
|To Solola, Santiago|
And Lake Atitlan
Highlands, Guatemala, Page Two
|To Highlands, Guatemala,|
Santa Domingo Monastery.
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. Page Three
|To Antigua, Highlands.Guatemala, Page Four
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