10 FACTS ABOUT GUATEMALA NATIONAL PALACE
Guatemala Nation Palace is one of the most protected buildings in Guatemala City. Yet, the palace is open for public. You can even get a private tour of the palace with English speaking guide. How cool is that? Here is the list of 10 interesting facts about Guatemala National Palace that I learned during the tour.
My visit to Guatemala National Palace
I had my “back to USSR moment” when I walked toward to Guatemala National Palace entrance. The palace gate reminded me Lenin Mausoleum entrance in Moscow, Russia minus long lines. My grandpa took me to to see Lenin Mausoleum when I was 8. We stayed in line for good couple of hours and as we got closer to the entrance I saw two line of soldiers protecting the entrance. Back to Guatemala city, eight military soldiers wearing full ammunition were protecting the entrance to the palace. I waled toward the entrance. A palace employee approached me and asked about the purpose of my visit. I had no purpose, was just wondering around and that exactly what I told her. She asked : “Would you like a private tour of the palace for 40 quetzals?” I said “Of course!” So, just like that I went on a private tour of the most protected building in Guatemala city just for five bucks.
Guatemala National Palace interesting facts
Building construction.
The palace was built by prisoners who worked a lot of hours and lived in very poor conditions. Many lost their lives when working on palace construction. Both courtyards were built at the same time. The palace took just 4 years to build. The construction completed in 1943.
Earthquake.
The building survived the major earthquake in 1976 that killed more than twenty thousand people.
Palace Courtyards
National Palace building consists of two interconnected courtyards, eastern and western
10 interesting facts about Guatemala National Palace
Courtyards cover.
Think fabric cover the palace courtyard to protect them from sun and rain. A specials mechanism designed to roll the fabric and open the roof completely during warm weather.
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Visiting Guatemala National Palace
The traffic lights system.
The palace has traffic lights system built during general Ubico time. When General walked around the building, the light turned red and palace employees could not walk in hallways. Once General was done with his walk, the light turned green employees could move freely around the palace.
Gran Salón de Recepciones flag and chandelier.
National flag in Gran Salón de Recepciones(Reception Hall) decorated with two real guns.
Crystal gold Bohemian style chandelier installed in in the Gran Salón de Recepciones weights two tons
Gran Salón de Recepciones – 10 interesting facts about Guatemala National Palace
The palace has total of 350 rooms
Mural painted on the arches by well-known Guatemalan artist Alberto Gálvez Suárez. Main theme represented in paintings is Spanish conquistadors concurring Maya upon their arrival to Guatemala.
Red marble fool in the building represents Mayan blood.
“Monument of Peace”
Piece agreement that ended 36 years log internal was signed in front of National Palace during the ceremony that was translated on huge screen. Two hands monument that called “Monument of Peace” installed in western courtyard of National Palace to symbolize the end of civil war.
