Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala is located in Guatemala , just 225 km from Salvador City. This Historical- Colonial city was founded in the early 16th century. Built 1,500 m above sea-level, in an earthquake-prone region, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins. In the space of under three centuries the city, which was built on a grid pattern inspired by the Italian Renaissance, acquired a number of superb monuments. Antigua Guatemala was the cultural, economic, religious, political and educational center for the entire region until the capital was moved. In the space of under three centuries the city acquired a number of superb monuments.