Ermita La Conquistadora, Salcajá
Ermita La Conquistadora de la Inmaculada Concepción
A chapel said to be the oldest Catholic church in Central America (1524), in a town also known for handwoven textiles and fruit liqueurs.
Salcajá is a weaving town about 9 km north of Xela. Its Chapel of the Conquistadora (also called the San Jacinto Chapel) is said to have been founded in 1524 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado. It claims to be the oldest church in Central America. The white facade is plain, and the interior contains a colonial-era altarpiece. Family workshops in town weave traditional corte skirt fabric, and visitors can taste local specialties such as caldo de frutas, a fruit liqueur, and rompopo, an egg-based drink. It is usually visited together with San Andrés Xecul.
Opening hours
Open daytime (opening time varies)
Nearby sights
- San Andrés Xecul Church
- Cerro El Baúl
- San Francisco El Alto Market
- Municipal Theatre of Quetzaltenango
- Almolonga Market
- Museo Ixkik' del Traje Maya
- Pasaje Enríquez
- Parque Centroamérica