Olintepeque Xepau Xekik'el |
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Municipality and town | |
Coordinates: 14°53′N 91°31′W / 14.883°N 91.517°W | |
Country | Guatemala |
Department | Quetzaltenango |
Area | |
• Total | 14 sq mi (36 km2) |
Time zone | Central Time (UTC+6) |
Climate | Cwb |
Olintepeque (Spanish pronunciation: [olinteˈpeke]) is a municipality in the Quetzaltenango department of Guatemala, not far from the city of Quetzaltenango. It is located on the Xekik'el (or Xekikel) River.
Olintepeque is known for being the place where the legendary K'iche' king Tecún Umán died in single combat with the Spanish conquistador, Pedro de Alvarado on February 20, 1524. The river Xekik'el ("where the blood spread") takes its name from the famous battle.
The inhabitants of Olintepeque speak primarily Spanish and K'iche'. A chapel is dedicated to St John the Baptist and the folk saint San Pascualito.
Coordinates: 14°53′N 91°31′W / 14.883°N 91.517°W