Founded by Dominican friars in 1542, Santo Domingo became the biggest and richest monastery in Antigua. Following three 18th-century earthquakes, the buildings were pillaged for construction material. The site was acquired as a private residence in 1970 by an American archaeologist, who performed extensive excavations before it was taken over by the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel .
The archaeological zone has been innovatively restored as a 'cultural route.' It includes the picturesque ruined monastery church, the adjacent cloister with a replica of the original fountain, workshops for candle and pottery makers and two underground crypts that were discovered during the church excavations. One of these, the Calvary Crypt, contains a well-preserved mural of the Crucifixion dating from 1683.
Also part of the archaeological zone are six museums, which can all be visited with one admission ticket. This museum route may be entered either through the hotel or the Universidad de San Carlos extension on 1a Av. Starting from the hotel side, they include the following:
Museo de la Platería Silverwork masterpieces including incense burners, candelabras and crowns.
Museo Colonial Canvases and wood sculpture on religious themes from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Museo Arqueológico Ceramic and stone objects from the Maya Classic period.
Museo de Arte Precolombino y Vidrio Moderno Glass works by modern artists and the pre-Hispanic ceramic pieces that inspired them.
Museo de Artes y Artesanías Populares de Sacatepéquez Exhibits on traditional handicrafts from the Antigua region.
Museo de la Farmacia Restored version of a 19th-century apothecary's shop from Guatemala City.
