Iglesia de San Francisco el Grande, Antigua

Iglesia de San Francisco el Grande, Antigua

The Iglesia de San Francisco el Grande is one of the most visited ruins in Antigua Guatemala for its shrine of Santo Hermano Pedro.

The Iglesia de San Francisco el Grande is one of the most visited ruins in Antigua Guatemala for its shrine of Santo Hermano Pedro. It was originally built in the 16^th century, but has been damaged over several earthquakes and renovated thereafter. See the relics of Santo Hermano Pedro and learn about the Franciscans on a tour of the church.

The façade with twisted salomonic columns has 16 vaulted niches, each (except the lowest two) containing a saint or a friar. It is flanked by the bell tower to the north, and meagre remnants of the clock tower to the south. The church has a small museum on Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, better known as Santo Hermano Pedro, and holds his tomb and relics which include the bell which he rang on the streets at night to pray for the neglected souls in purgatory. In the 16^th and 17^th centuries, San Francisco el Grande became a major scientific and cultural centre, home to the College of St. Bonaventure, a library (restored today) and art and music rooms. It attracted several scholars as well as painters, sculptors and architects who worked to beautify the complex. Look around to see the altarpieces, frescoes and the Mural of San Francisco.