GENERAL INFORMATION

Chichicastenango (place of the nettles) is a K’iche’ Maya town perched at 2070 m in the Highlands, founded around 1550 by Dominican missionaries. The site had been occupied by Kaqchikel Maya, who left to establish Iximché around 1470 due to political unrest between themselves and the k’iche’.

On Thursdays and Sundays the town of 76,000 inhabitants is invaded by indigenous from local villages who come to buy and sell in the market; conduct any business, like banking; and perform their religious ceremonies, both in the catholic church and at traditional Mayan sites.