After the Kaqchikel rebelled against their former allies , the Spanish refounded the capital as Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala in 1527 , in the Almolonga Valley near the Volcán de Agua . In 1541 the crater of the volcano collapsed , unleashing a flood upon the new capital , which was once again moved . The Almolonga Valley site is now known as Ciudad Vieja ( " Old City " ) . In 1543 , Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala was once again refounded , this time at Panchoy . The new city survived as the capital of colonial Guatemala through the rest of the 16th century , the 17th century , and most of the 18th century , until it was severely damaged by the 1773 Guatemala earthquake . The capital was once again moved in 1775 , although this time it was given the name Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción ( " New Guatemala of the Assumption " ) , the present day national capital ( commonly called Guatemala City ) . The former capital at Panchoy has now become known as Antigua Guatemala ( " Old Guatemala " )
1773 Guatemala earthquake
1773 Guatemala earthquake
Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala