Guatemala museum that suddenly shuttered after court-ordered raid to reopen
The Museo de Arte Colonial in Antigua closed abruptly last December, and its collection of 287 works has been in limbo ever since
After a court-ordered raid in December 2025, the Museo de Arte Colonial in Antigua, Guatemala, will reopen on 11 August. The museum first opened in 1936, showcasing colonial-era paintings and sculptures, including works by Tomás de Merlo and Cristóbal de Villalpando. However, the building had faced 50 years of neglect, requiring restoration for many of its fragile pieces.
Guatemala’s Ministry of Culture and Sports regained control of the venue after months of negotiations. A reopening date has not been announced yet. Most of the 287 colonial-era works were relocated to the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura in Guatemala City in a two-week operation, except for six large-scale paintings, five by Merlo, which stayed at the museum due to their fragility.
These were later taken to the Museo de Arte de Guatemala, 200m away. The city of Antigua owns the site, while the Ministry of Culture and Sports had an operating agreement until 2032. Court decision relied on a report by the Consejo Nacional para la Protección de la Antigua Guatemala, which recommended restoring only ten works in situ.
Concern grew over the unsupervised large paintings. Culture Minister Luis Méndez Salinas inspected the museum on 13 August, expressing hope for better days ahead. New museography and temporary exhibition spaces are planned. However, the collection's return will be gradual as many works need restoration and remain in different venues.
The eventual return will be complex due to the condition of the works and the museum's architectural integrity, requiring parallel focus. Funding and a long-term plan are crucial for the museum's revival.
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