Antigua, Guatemala

La Semana Santa

'Alfombras de aserrín', or sawdust carpets, are ornate pieces of art that also include palm fronds and flower petals. Families and artists create these spectacular bursts of color as part of Easter week festivities. The tradition originated with invading Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, but Guatemalans have taken the artistry to a new level.

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a colorful 'chicken' bus
an older Guatemalan woman in traditional dress
a Guatemalan woman places palm fronds on the ground
a crowd of Guatemalans and a dog
a crowd of children dressed up as historical Easter characters
old yellow cathedral
a man with a cowboy hat works on sawdust artwork
a woman stands in a window looking at her phone while a vendor sells cotton candy
a boy dressed up as a Roman soldier rides on a horse
a parade with tuba players and people holding up statues
an old truck carries a bunch of people in the back
a template for colorful sawdust artwork
a main street in downtown Antigua, Guatemala
a family dressed traditionally holds 2 toddlers while smiling
a man sprays water from a hose onto sawdust carpet artwork