casa popenoe

If you have time and are looking for something to do, this is a good way to spend a few hours. They can tell you the history of the property and it is interesting if you have an interest in Antigua history. Not sure children will enjoy it and it is pricey for what you get.

Very interesting restored colonial house with period furniture, paintings. Excellent guided tour -- I did it in Spanish but it was clear the guide spoke English. I learned a lot about the history of Antigua -- the guide was very knowledgeable -- along with interesting facts about the man who bought and restored the house. I highly recommend doing this. The tour was two hours and worth every penny ($10).

This is one of the most unique tours in Antigua, since it is not a ruin. The home is lovingly restored, rooms surrounded by gardens and patios. Loren, the curator, provides an excellent 1 1/2 hour tour. It is part of the historic tours of Guatemala City and Antigua. Make your appointment, and don't miss it! The dovecote is especially unique and the views from the roof are lovely.

This house is a very beautiful work of restoration and Loren gave us a thorough and informative tour. This is my favorite so far among the many interesting Antigua sites. Highest recommendation.

Even though we were only 2 people, Loren graciously gave us a 90 minute tour of this fascinating house. We were intrigued by the many thoughtful architectural details throughout, including the urinal built into the wall in a discrete corner! We learned much about Guatemalan history and recommend this tour to learn more about Antigua and how the Popenoes preserved this house.

A visit to this house is a delightful way to spend a few hours in Antigua.The guide was very knowledgeable about the house's history and its importance to the colonial style.The entrance fee goes towards the restoration and research as the property now belongs to the University.This was one of the highlights of the days we spent in this town.

Antigua is famous of course for its ecclesiastical ruins but after a while, a ruined church on every block gets a little tiresome. So we visited Casa Popenoe which is right in town. It is administered by the University of Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City and you need an appointment but it is worth it. You can access the information through the website and call or email. We just walked around to the door (there is no sign) and knocked. A nice fellow arranged for us to come the next day at 10:00 a.m. There were four of us, not five but that didn't seem to pose a problem and the entrance fee is $10 or 80Q but it is well worth the price. Loren, who has a Masters degree in Architecture and spoke perfect English gave us a two and a half hour tour of the house and gardens that was just fascinating. We got to go all over the house and take as many photos as we wanted. Dr. Popenoe was a botanist/agriculturist from the U.S. who spent many years in Guatemala and Honduras developing fruit for the United Fruit Company. He developed the Hass avocado for the Californian market as well as many other varieties of fruits and vegetables. He and his wife Dorothy bought the property in 1930. It had been the house of a wealthy notary in the 1700's but was severely damaged in the earthquake of 1773 and left empty and derelict until the Popenoes bought it for $100. They spent the rest of their lives rebuilding the property, filling it with period furniture and developing the gardens. Dorothy died young but Dr. Popenoe's second wife Helen also collected furniture and art for the house, mostly from Spain. It was a life long passion of this couple to restore old buildings rather than demolish the ruins and build new houses. The kitchens and bathrooms are still in use and in fact it was the family home until 2007 when it was deeded to the University. We thought it a very enjoyable visit.

Visit this place to learn the history of the rebuilding of the town and how avocadoes ended up in California. The house is very interesting. I'm surprised they let you access as much of it as they do.

An old colonial home dating to the 1600's which had been restored by Dr. & Mrs. Popenoe and used as their residence in the 1950's and earlier. It presently is a private museum with certain visiting hours. It houses colonial artifacts which are interesting to exam by those interested such items.

Once you have had enough of ecclesiastical architecture, make sure to arrange to visit Casa Popenoe for insights both into colonial life and the work of an American biologist who came to Guatemala to develop the avocado business for United Fruit. My wife and I lived in Antigua for six months and at first we were told the CP was not open but then we called and arranged to take a tour. We lucked out and the director showed us around the house and explained the workings of a colonial casa and the lives of both 18th century and early 20th century inhabitants. We cannot recommend visiting the house high enough for anyone interested in the past and what took place inside the huge walls fronting the street.

Absolutely fabulous 18th century house/museum in Antigua Guatemala with an exquisite collection of colonial art. Contact the Casa Popenoe to see this - well worth a visit!

Casa Popenoe showcases Antigua's last 400 years. Universidad Francisco Marroquín has done a great job in tracing back the true story of the house. Highly recommended.To make a reservation: call (+502) 2338-7959 or write to casapopenoe@ufm.edu

Casa Popenoe allows the visitor to peak in the intimacy of a XVIII Century household. One travels in time....a very educational and fun trip indeed.

Almost completely restored. Maybe the best part of this was the university that has taken it over, ?Maraquin?, has spent a significant amount of time getting the story right. Go walk through history. Well worth the Q40.

My visit did not occur. I wanted to visit the Casa and when I walked over to its location I found posted on the door a notice informing people that the Casa was only open for group tours. Since I was traveling solo at the time this left me out. My guidebooks both indicated something differently, but the reality was quite different. The door was closed and only groups will be able to get in.