Welcome to Santa Lucía Milpas Altas, a town whose very name whispers of its history and its location. It was established in 1824, a time when Guatemala was navigating its independence. The town was named after Saint Lucy, a celebrated martyr, and “Milpas Altas” because of the higher farmland that once belonged to the nearby town of Santa Cruz.
Santa Lucía Milpas Altas has a long history. The region it occupies was part of a vast estate entrusted to the Order of Preachers. They were a very prominent religious order whose members played a vital role in the religious and economic life of the colonial era. They remained in control of the area until 1754 when the Spanish Crown, through its Borbon reforms, took control and handed over all religious institutions to the secular clergy.
Today, the Dominican friars have long left the area, but you can still trace their legacy. The Dominican friars were responsible for converting the indigenous population to Christianity, setting up schools, and creating communities that formed the foundation of modern Santa Lucía Milpas Altas.
Today, Santa Lucía Milpas Altas is a thriving town, famous for its charming atmosphere and the people who live there. Their traditions are deep rooted and very much alive. The town celebrates two important feasts: one for Saint Lucy and the other for Saint Thomas the Apostle, both of which are still celebrated with fervor. Santa Lucía Milpas Altas is a place where tradition and modernity blend together in a beautiful tapestry.