Casa Museo San Andrés Ceballos: A Guardian of Memory in San Antonio Aguas Calientes

In the heart of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Sacatepéquez, lies a little-known yet invaluable treasure for Guatemala’s cultural heritage: the Casa Museo San Andrés Ceballos. This space, born from the effort and passion of a humble man deeply committed to his land, holds centuries of history within each of its archaeological and colonial pieces.

Its founder and custodian, Humberto, has devoted much of his life to rescuing, classifying, and preserving objects that tell the story of those who inhabited this region long before the arrival of the Spanish, as well as relics from the colonial period. Thanks to his tireless work, the museum boasts an extraordinary collection discovered within a “caballería” of family-owned land, where genuine witnesses of the past have emerged.

A space that breathes history

Visitors stepping into the Casa Museo San Andrés Ceballos are surrounded by an atmosphere where history quietly beats. Among the pre-Hispanic pieces, you can find:

• Ceremonial and utilitarian vessels
• Decorated cups with symbolic motifs
• Clay pots of various sizes and uses
• Grinding stones, a symbol of daily life and food culture
• Finely crafted bowls
• Zoomorphic figures representing sacred fauna
• Ritual masks

From the colonial period, the museum preserves:

• Hand-carved wooden saints
• Candle holders that once illuminated chapels and homes
• Ceramic vessels made with inherited and adapted techniques

Each piece has been carefully cleaned, organized, and displayed, allowing visitors not only to observe but also to reflect on the value of cultural preservation.

More than a museum: an act of cultural resistance

The museum does not receive a constant flow of visitors, nor does it have the institutional support that could enhance its impact. However, its very existence is an act of resistance against oblivion and the loss of heritage. Humberto has not only collected and preserved these pieces—he has safeguarded the memory of a territory that was once a center of vibrant trade and that today has the opportunity to position itself as a benchmark for sustainable cultural tourism.

The Casa Museo San Andrés Ceballos requires financial, technical, and institutional support to improve its infrastructure, expand its exhibition halls, implement conservation systems, and develop educational programs that will attract more visitors. This would not only benefit the museum but also the community, which could find in cultural tourism a complementary source of income and local pride.

Sustainable and community-based tourism

Incorporating the museum into sustainable tourism routes in Sacatepéquez is essential. Doing so would not only increase the flow of visitors but also ensure that the benefits reach the local community directly. Including the museum in circuits that combine handicrafts, local gastronomy, and cultural experiences would give travelers an authentic immersion, while strengthening the local economy and protecting heritage.

A call to action

Visiting the Casa Museo San Andrés Ceballos is not just a walk through history—it is a gesture of support for cultural conservation and a recognition of the efforts of those who, without significant resources, dedicate their lives to preserving Guatemala’s memory.

Humberto opens the doors of his museum with a smile and the passion of someone who understands that without memory, there is no future. This is a place that deserves to be known, supported, and shared.

📍 Address: San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Sacatepéquez
📞 Contact: +502 4110-6502 (Humberto)