Castillo de Dorión: A Lakeside Enigma

Castillo de Dorión, a captivating castle with a medieval design, graces the shores of Lake Amatitlán, approximately 24 km from Guatemala City, within Villa Nueva. Constructed between 1935 and 1938 by Carlos Dorión Nanne, with land granted by General Jorge Ubico, the castle has become an icon of the lake, shrouded in stories and legends. Local lore suggests the castle was built as a gift for a lover of Carlos Dorión Nanne, though this remains unconfirmed. Dorión Nanne had family ties to Marta Lainfiesta Dorión, the wife of President Ubico. During the era's traditional “Fiestas de la Pepesca,” the castle hosted “Noches Venecianas” (Venetian Nights), attended by Ubico, featuring rowing boat trips between Ubico's residence, El Morlón, and the Castillo. The castle's unique design has served as a backdrop for films such as “Tesoro del Fantasma” and “El Triunfo de los Campesinos Justicieros”. In 1980, the Delgado family acquired the property. Today, the castle is under the care of the sisters of the Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity. While public access isn't permitted, the Castillo de Dorión remains a popular tourist attraction for those visiting Lake Amatitlán, sparking curiosity with its appearance and tales of secret passages and tunnels. Boat tours on the lake offer the closest view of the castle, allowing visitors to imagine its vibrant past.