Description
This site is on the hot region of the state, in the central depression that receives water from the Grijalva currents.
Coapa, together with Aquespala and Escuintenango, form part of the Antiguo Camino Real that is a connection to the province capitals of the Guatemala kingdom,
including Ciudad Real. Just as with Aquespala, we don’t know the exact date of the town’s foundation. It may correspond to some period during the third fourth of the
XVI Century and after the issuance of the 1548 decree which allowed the Dominic order to build churches and buildings.
During the major part of the XVII Century, Coapa was principally a scale site for the tourist. The agricultural zones near the site were swamped, unhealthy and
insufficiently productive for a small population. Coapa was not populated during the rest of the colonial period and has remained as such until the present days.
It is now part of a private property, in an almost non-accessible area.
Historical Monuments
· Coapa Church ·
According to historical data, this church consisted of a single building and a square presbytery; the earth level going down at the extreme oriental part of the building,
the side walls of the building are totally destroyed, with an exception of a façade section, keeping a window of the same type as those observed in Copanauastla,
Tecpatán and Copainala, i.e., a vane with semi-circular heading and stairs that give the appearance of a window inside a niche. The treatment of the principal façade can
be compared to San Sebastian in Chiapa de Corzo dated prior to 1686; for this reason it is suggested that the probable construction time is 1615 and
the town’s extinction in 1680, approximately. Little can be said about the design of the façade given that only the inferior body remains.
The central vane is occupied with its excessively plain “jambas”. The church is one among other buildings in the site that jointly can be considered as a Christian
ceremony center. The plateresque ornaments are still visible in the lateral door. This church belongs to the antique group of towns that made up the antique royal path.
Etnic Group
Tzeltal and Tojolabal
How to arrive?
It is 36 kilometres away from Comitan, taking the Pan-American or 190 road. In the Tzimol union, take the state road Comitán - Pujiltic until the Francisco J. Múgica deviation. The open access is about 10 kilometers approximately.
Journey Tips
For all those who want to visit this site it is necessary to hire transport services, in Comitán city or in Pujiltic. It is suggested to carry insect-repellant and sun-block.
Sites nearby
Copanauastla, Cascadas el Chiflón and Comitán de Dominguez
Contacts
For more information it is suggested to visit the Tourism Department in this city:
Calle central oriente, Benito Juarez No. 6 C.P. 30000
Tel: (963) 63 2 40 47
or call 01 800 280 3500
