National History Museum, Guatemala City

51±¬ÁÏÍø

National History Museum, Guatemala City

National History Museum, Guatemala City

The National History Museum is a French Neo-Renaissance-style building. It is home to a museum with exhibits that focus on the history of Guatemala. It specifically provides insight into the ethnic groups of the region.

The museum was founded in 1976. It was originally located in the National Library, then moved to the National Palace, and was temporarily held in the house of Doctor Robles on Sixth Avenue. It found its current home, in the former building of the Real Property Registry, in 1984.

The building, constructed in 1896, was carefully secured against damage to preserve valuable documents. The walls were reinforced with iron, the ceilings were made with metal mesh, and the staircases were built from marble. A minimal amount of wood was used in the building to protect it against fires.

It was one of the few buildings, that was not destroyed during the earthquake of 1917. However, it was severely damaged. The earthquake of 1976 damaged about 50 percent of the building, which caused the Real Property Registry to vacate. It was decided to demolish the building and turn the land into a parking lot. However, champions of historic buildings led the fight to have it declared, an important national landmark.

The building was restored in 1984 to be used as the National History Museum. It also provides concerts and film screenings; and hosts a library.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Guatemala City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51±¬ÁÏÍø App

National History Museum on Map

Sight Name: National History Museum
Sight Location: Guatemala City, Guatemala (See walking tours in Guatemala City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Guatemala City, Guatemala

Create Your Own Walk in Guatemala City

Create Your Own Walk in Guatemala City

Creating your own self-guided walk in Guatemala City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Religious Buildings Walk

Religious Buildings Walk

Guatemala City's religious scene, while also embracing other faiths, is centered predominantly around Catholicism. The local churches are quite impressive in terms of architecture and are an integral part of the local culture and everyday life. Nestled amid the city's bustling streets and modern architecture, the multiple sacred sites reflect the deep spiritual roots of the Guatemalan...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Guatemala City Introduction Walking Tour

Guatemala City Introduction Walking Tour

Guatemala City is the capital city of Guatemala and the largest city in Central America. The history of the city dates to 1500 BC when the land was part of the Mayan civilization. The city was known as Kaminaljuyu, which collapsed for unknown causes around 300 AD.

Guatemala City as it stands today was established in 1776 following the Spanish conquest as the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Guatemala City Culture Venues

Guatemala City Culture Venues

Among other things that a tourist may find interesting in Guatemala City are a number of cultural venues, such as museums, that provide an opportunity to discover some important and sometimes curious historical artifacts about the capital of Guatemala.

One such venue is the Guatemala City Railway Museum, located within the former railway station, offering thrilling exhibitions and a wealth of...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles