Antigua Guatemala street at dusk with Agua Volcano

Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the colonial capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala for over 200 years. The city's cobblestone streets, like this one illuminated at dusk, have been maintained since its founding in 1542. The prominent Agua Volcano, one of three stratovolcanoes surrounding the city, serves as a constant geographical backdrop. Despite numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that led to its relocation in 1776, Antigua retains much of its 18th-century architecture and urban layout, showcasing its historical significance as a major center of Spanish colonial power in Central America.