The volcano that forced a capital city to move

Countries & Cities · Published 14 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For centuries, the residents of Santiago de los Caballeros lived in the shadow of Volcán de Fuego. They believed the mountain was the literal source of their terror, attributing every earthquake to its fiery heart. This fear eventually reshaped the map of Guatemala.

Located within Guatemala, the active stratovolcano Volcán de Fuego is referred to as Chi Q'aq' (where the fire is) by the Kaqchikel people. It is characterized by near-constant low-level activity, with small explosions of gas and ash occurring every 15 to 20 minutes. While these frequent events are relatively minor, the volcano is capable of violent "paroxysmal" eruptions. One such event occurred on June 3, 2018, producing the most powerful eruption since 1974, sending pyroclastic flows that buried nearby communities and forced the closure of the capital's international airport.

The volcano's geological history is tied to the collapse of an older structure. About 8,500 years ago, a volcano collapsed to form La Meseta, a scarp that marks the boundary between Fuego and its northern neighbor, Acatenango. Fuego began its growth only after this collapse. Today, the complex is known as La Horqueta. The mountain is dominated by andesite and basalt lava types, and its proximity to the famous city of Antigua remains a defining geographical feature.

The psychological impact of the volcano is as significant as its physical presence. In the 18th century, the great architect Diego de Porres famously claimed that all earthquakes in the region were caused by the volcano's explosions. This belief persisted during the devastating San Miguel earthquakes of 1717, which destroyed parts of the Royal Palace. While residents initially resisted moving, the repeated destruction from seismic activity—compounded by the perceived threat of Fuego—eventually led the Spanish Crown to order the abandonment of Santiago de los Caballeros in 1776. The capital was relocated to the Valley of the Shrine, where modern-day Guatemala City stands today.

The city of Santiago de los Caballeros was subsequently renamed la Antigua Guatemala (the Old Guatemala). This transition highlights a long-standing human struggle: the tension between living in fertile, culturally rich lands and the existential threat posed by a mountain that is, quite literally, always awake.

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