La Iglesia de San Francisco

Next to Museo de Comayagua [1] is the Plaza San Francisco, with the Iglesia de San Francisco on the north side. The church, originally called La Iglesia de San Antonio, was built in 1574 in a simple style and rebuilt completely between 1610 and 1620.

An earthquake in 1784 badly damaged the structure, and the roof collapsed in 1806. Three years later, another quake knocked down the bell tower. A second reconstruction was completed in 1819. No wonder the church attracts faithful worshipers—after all those disasters, it’s a miracle it’s still standing!

The church has an ornate carved retablo and a gory statue of Christ. Hours vary—ask around for the caretaker to let you in if it’s closed. He may let you go up into the three-story bell tower, but watch out for the rotten wood planks if you go up.