Guatemala Guide
Antigua
Casa Popenoe
Address: 5 Calle Oriente, on the corner of 1 Avenida Sur
Opening time: Mon– Sat 2–4pm
Price: US$1.40
The superbly restored colonial mansion Casa Popenoe offers a window into domestic life in colonial times. The house, originally built in 1634 was in ruins when, in 1932, Dr Wilson Popenoe, a United Fruit Company scientist, began its comprehensive restoration. Sifting through the rubble piece by piece, the doctor and his wife restored the building to its former glory, filling it with an incredible collection of colonial furniture and art. Among the paintings are portraits of Bishop Marroquín and the menacing-looking Alvarado himself. Every last detail has been authentically restored, down to the original leather lampshades painted with religious musical scores and the great wooden beds, decorated with a mass of accomplished carving. The kitchen and servants' quarters have also been carefully renovated, and you can see the bread ovens, herb garden and pigeon loft, which would have provided the original occupants with their mail service. A narrow staircase leads up from the pigeon loft to the roof, from where there are spectacular views over the city and volcanoes. Dr Popenoe died in 1972, but two of his daughters still live in the house.