José Batres Montúfar

Initially it was in charge of engineer Miguel Rivera Maestre, but he quit after a few months and was replaced by German expert José Beckers, who built the Greek façades and added a lobby.

This was the first monumental building ever built in the Republican era of Guatemala,[1] given that in the 1850s the country finally was enjoying some peace and prosperity.

The orange trees, fountains and sculptures were removed, and in their place modern gardens were planted and a bust of Batres Montúfar was erected.

[1] During the government of general Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián, the theater was remodeled to celebrate the Discovery of America fourth centennial anniversary; the Italian community in Guatemala donated a statue of Christopher Columbus -Cristóbal Colón, in Spanish- which was placed next to the theater.

[1] Rubén Darío considers two of Batres' poems, Reloj, and Falsas apariencias, "little gems" of American literature.

Colón Theater after its remodeling in 1892. [ 1 ]
José Batres Montúfar bust that was originally placed at the Colón Theater in 1892. After the earthquakes of 1917-18, it was refurbished and donated to the Guatemala National Library.