Comayagua
The former capital of Honduras, home to one of the oldest cathedral clocks in the Americas and a well-preserved colonial old town, and a classic day trip from the capital.
Comayagua was founded in 1537 and served as Honduras's capital until 1880. Its historic centre has been systematically restored and is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the country. The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, built in 1711, has a bell tower with an Arabic-style mechanical clock. The clock is said to date back to Moorish Spain in the 12th century and is considered one of the oldest clocks in the Americas, and visitors can climb the tower to see its mechanism. Nearby are a museum of colonial religious art, the Comayagua Museum of archaeology, and the La Merced church. During Holy Week the streets are carpeted with coloured sawdust, and the processions are spectacular. Getting there: about 1.5 hours via the CA-5 highway, with frequent long-distance buses.
Opening hours
Open all day (cathedral approx. 08:00–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Parque La Leona
- Villa Roy Museum of Republican History
- Manuel Bonilla National Theatre
- Museum for National Identity
- Church of Our Lady of Sorrows
- Cristo del Picacho
- Parque Central (Plaza Morazán)
- Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel