"Totonicapán, Guatemala" Totonicapán by Twan

San Miguel Totonicapán is a city in Guatemala. It is the capital of the department. Totonicapán is situated at an altitude of 2500 meters and has 52,000 inhabitants (2005). The name means "the warm water" because the Nahualate here comes to the surface in the form of hot water and steam.

Totonicapán, Guatemala

In the post-classical period was the city for the K'iche 'Utatlán after the main city. The Spaniards founded the present town and the first church was destroyed by an earthquake. During and shortly after the independence struggle (1811-1821) broke local indigenous revolts and 600 rebels hung Momostenango political relations with residents of surrounding villages. The resulting liberation forced to leave the local mayor and the board was taken over by rebel leader Atanasio Tzul. He was crowned "king of the K'iche '" and still is the symbol for the struggle against the Spaniards.