Point of interest
Túnel de Santa María de Jesús Zunil
1 local recommends
Tips from locals
José Alfredo
August 16, 2018
The tunnel was built by prisoners between 1925 and 1927 to enable passage to the Los Altos Railway. Its construction was carried out without any modern machinery, only dynamite was used to cross the huge rock hill. During General Jorge Ubico's presidential term, the tunnel suffered extensive damage due to a storm, so it was ordered closed. It was until 1950 when maintenance work was carried out and it was enabled for vehicular passage with two lanes. Today the tunnel is an important step that connects the departments of Retalhuleu and Quetzaltenango (Xela). El túnel fue construido por los presos entre 1925 y 1927 para habilitar el paso al Ferrocarril de Los Altos. Su construcción se realizó sin ningún tipo de maquinaria moderna, únicamente se usó dinamita para atravesar el enorme cerro de roca. Durante el período presidencial del general Jorge Ubico, el túnel sufrió grandes daños debido a una tormenta, por lo que se ordenó su cierre. Fue hasta en 1950 cuando se realizaron trabajos de mantenimiento y se habilitó para el paso vehicular con dos carriles. Hoy el túnel es un importante paso que comunica los departamentos de Retalhuleu y Quetzaltenango (Xela).
The tunnel was built by prisoners between 1925 and 1927 to enable passage to the Los Altos Railway. Its construction was carried out without any modern machinery, only dynamite was used to cross the huge rock hill. During General Jorge Ubico's presidential term, the tunnel suffered extensive damage…
Location
CITO-180
Muralla, Quetzaltenango