The Maya civilization that inhabited present day Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and parts of Mexico, left its indelible mark on culture, science and world history. In the 16th century the influence of the art and beliefs of the Spanish conquistadors transformed the artistic expressions of the inhabitants of these lands.
Material remains such as stone figures, vessels, ceramic wind instruments and urns as well as silverware, imagery and colonial era paintings comprise the collections of the Popol Vuh Museum of Guatemala, located in the central field of Universidad Francisco Marroquín (UFM), 6a. calle final, zona 10 capital. The museum is known for its vast ceramic collection, reputedly the best in the country.
The exhibits at the museum include Maya classic period painted ceramic pieces (320 to 987 d. C) las Verapaces, Petén and Northwestern Guatemala, Kaminaljuyú, the South coast, as well as a sample of censers from the waters of Lake Amatitlán in very good condition.
The name
This Museum takes its name from the book Popol Vuh, the work of the ancient sacred Mayan K’iche ‘, because it keeps many artifacts relating to the indigenous worldview that relates to that document, written shortly after the Spanish conquest of Guatemala. It also contains the pre-Hispanic history of the K’iche ‘, whose rulers dominated much of the western highlands of Guatemala.
To visit
The Popol Vuh Museum is open from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm; and Saturday, from 9 to 13 hours. The price of admission is Q35 for adults; students with credentials, Q15, and children aged 2-12, Q10. There is a small fee if you wish to take pictures. The museum is not large. Expect to finish a tour in about one hour.