Chichicastenango has always been a magical destination in Guatemala. In the old times, the natives would carry their merchandise for hours on dirt roads to reach the city. Nowadays, many traders come in buses and tourists travel on more comfortable paved roads from different parts of the region. The Cackchiquel people used to live there, and then another tribe, called Chaviar moved there. Later on the Cackchiqueles moved their capital to Iximche.

A native in front of the main church in Chichi where rituals are held. 

The Quiches, had their capital at Utatlan and moved to Chaviar after the Spanish conquered them in 1524. The Spanish came with the Mexican allies and named the city of Chaviar, Chichicastenango, after the green spiny leaf that grows all over the place and is used for fencing and medicine. The Quiches or Masheños called Chichicastenango, Siguan Tamit, which means "town surrounded by canyons." The city still kept their own government that concerned  the Indian community only. They preserved their traditions and they orginized in cofradias a type of organization that rules the community. There are fourteen in total, and the Santo Thomas is the most important. They all participate in the ceremonies held at the church of Chichicastenango. You might be able to see some of the processions witch are only part of their activities. Rituals are held often with the sound of the tun (drum) and the melody of the Chirimia (flute). Each Cofradia has his Chuchkajaue, a prayer man who acts as a mediator between regular people and the idols. Many ceremonies take place at the Catholic church, where you can see how they incorporate the Catholic religion and their saints into their own pagan rituals, offering flowers, candles, food and alcohol.

On the southeast side of the square is the Santo Thomas church built in 1540 by the Dominicans. Right on the site is a pre-Colombian temple. On the steps the Indians are burning copal incense. Inside the church the main altars are made of wood and silver, decorated with their saints and paintings. Next to the church there was a cemetery, which now is used for church offices. The Popol-Vuh a sacred book of the Indians, was discovered by the Spanish priest Francisco Ximenez in the Eighteenth Century. It has some similarity to the Christian Bible.

The Calvario church on the southwest of the plaza also held rituals similar to the Santo Thomas Church. 

The Cemetery located 2 blocks down the hill from the plaza gives you an idea of town social structure. 

The Museum on the south side of the plaza is named after the priest  Idefonso Roosbach, that served the village from 1894 to 1944. It has a variety of Post-Classic Mayan pottery, jade pieces , obsidian knives, stone sculptures, spearheads and many other interesting things that resemble the times before the Spanish conquer. 

Pascual Abaj also known as Turkaj, is an idol made out of stone located on a hill about 30 minutes by foot. This is an important shrine for the region and many natives come from far distances to worship the idol. On the way to the Shrine you will see the Morería, a mask and a costume factory, for the costumes they use for the ceremonies.

AVAILABLE TOURS: See list of recently tours and specials for Chichicastenago posted by several travel companies.