University of San Carlos, Antigua, Guatemala December, 2001

       The university of San Carlos was founded in 1676 and is considered one of the  most beautiful, examples of colonial architecture in Antigua. The university was  the third founded in the American continent, right after Mexico and Peru’s universities. It was founded by the name of Colegio Mayor de Santo Tomás in 1562  and it was officially declared a university on January 31st, 1676 by royal command of King Charles II of Spain. 

       The University's interior features an elegant courtyard surrounded by Moorish  arches. Its main building, which was built in 1763, is home to the Museo de Arte  Colonial, which is known for the Saint francis series of paintings by colonial  artist Cristobal de Villapando. In some of the old lecture rooms, scenes of  university life in the 18th century have been recreated.

       In a rapidly advancing world where online degrees and universities are  flourishing, the University of San Carlos of Guatemala is considered one of the  best public universities in Central America. Surprisingly, it is the only public university on the entire country.

University of San Carlos, Antigua, Guatemala