ANTIGUA GUATEMALA, Guatemala — Brightly colored woven textiles are stacked in a market in Antigua Guatemala. Guatemala has a very strong tradition in hand weaving using various types of looms. Famous for its well-preserved Spanish baroque architecture as well as a number of ruins from earthquakes, Antigua Guatemala is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former capital of Guatemala.
Photograph by David Coleman. The market in Antigua Guatemala pulses with life, offering a sensory-rich experience that embodies the vibrant culture of this historic city. Housed partly in open-air stalls and partly under corrugated metal roofs, the market is a labyrinth of narrow aisles and densely packed vendor stands. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables create a patchwork of hues, their fresh scents mingling with the aroma of spices and coffee beans. Indigenous women in traditional dress tend to stalls selling intricately woven textiles, their huipiles (traditional blouses) a testament to Guatemala's rich textile heritage. The market is not just a place of commerce but a social hub where locals gather to shop, gossip, and negotiate prices. Tourists weave through the crowds, captivated by the array of handicrafts, from hand-carved wooden masks to delicate jade jewelry. This bustling marketplace offers a stark contrast to the colonial architecture that surrounds it, yet it's an integral part of Antigua's charm. It provides an authentic glimpse into daily Guatemalan life, where ancient Mayan traditions blend seamlessly with colonial influences and modern necessities, all under the watchful gaze of the volcanoes that surround the city.
Size: 3873px × 2593px
Location: Antigua, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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