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As soon as you enter the city you begin to feel the tranquility and nostalgia of Antigua . From its cobblestone streets to the one story tile-roofed houses, Antigua transports one back to a city seemingly frozen in time. With over thirty convents and churches, it reminds us of a life devoted to prayers and silent saints, who reside within the temple walls. We can almost see the golden retables and rooms illuminated with incense-scented candles. Brought back to reality, we see that most of them are now in a state of ruin, their collapse brought on by multiple earthquakes. The remaining walls tell us of their venerable past, and add to the charm of the city. In Antigua , a city where the people maintain their devotion to the Catholic faith, there are many religious celebrations. The main ones are Holy Week, Corpus Christi Day, the Patron Day of Santiago, and the holidays prior to Christmas. "Brotherhoods," formed by devoted neighborhoods, play an important role in these religious ceremonies. The Brotherhoods make it possible for the celebrations to remain a part of Antigua 's traditions by providing organization for the different popular religious acts. |