Quito Old Town (2850m asl)
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito', which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Quito is one of the most compelling cities in Latin America. Nestled in a long, narrow valley in the Andes on the slopes Volcano Pichincha to the west, Quito enjoys a spectacular natural setting. The Ecuadorian capital city’s mix of colonial and modern architecture creates a fascinating built environment. In addition to being the site of the Ecuadorian government, Quito is also the nation’s cultural capital, with an impressive selection of museums, festivals, and nightlife.
Population: 2,671,191
History: During the pre-Columbian era, several indigenous groups inhabited present-day Quito, and the surrounding areas including the Quitus tribe from whom the city took its name. At the beginning of the 16th century, while the Incas controlled Ecuador, Quito served as the capital of the northern half of the Inca empire. In 1533, the Inca destroyed Quito so that it would not fall into the hands of the advancing conquistadors. Just a year later, after the Spanish conquered the Inca, the Spanish began rebuilding Quito. The city’s official name, San Francisco de Quito, originates from the patron saint Saint Francis. Source: www.ecuadorexplorer.com
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito', which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Quito is one of the most compelling cities in Latin America. Nestled in a long, narrow valley in the Andes on the slopes Volcano Pichincha to the west, Quito enjoys a spectacular natural setting. The Ecuadorian capital city’s mix of colonial and modern architecture creates a fascinating built environment. In addition to being the site of the Ecuadorian government, Quito is also the nation’s cultural capital, with an impressive selection of museums, festivals, and nightlife.
Population: 2,671,191
History: During the pre-Columbian era, several indigenous groups inhabited present-day Quito, and the surrounding areas including the Quitus tribe from whom the city took its name. At the beginning of the 16th century, while the Incas controlled Ecuador, Quito served as the capital of the northern half of the Inca empire. In 1533, the Inca destroyed Quito so that it would not fall into the hands of the advancing conquistadors. Just a year later, after the Spanish conquered the Inca, the Spanish began rebuilding Quito. The city’s official name, San Francisco de Quito, originates from the patron saint Saint Francis. Source: www.ecuadorexplorer.com
Independence Plaza (Plaza de la Independencia or Plaza Grande)
was Quito’s main square in the 16th century, serving as central market and bullfighting area. The plaza contains several important buildings: the Archbishop’s Palace to the north, City Hall to the east, the cathedral to the south, and the white, neoclassical Palacio del Gobierno (Government Palace) to the west. The Government Palace (re-built in 1920 after its original 1650 building was destroyed by fire) is not open to the public, but you can take a peek inside the main entrance, which is a beautiful example of Moorish architecture. Source: www.viator.com
was Quito’s main square in the 16th century, serving as central market and bullfighting area. The plaza contains several important buildings: the Archbishop’s Palace to the north, City Hall to the east, the cathedral to the south, and the white, neoclassical Palacio del Gobierno (Government Palace) to the west. The Government Palace (re-built in 1920 after its original 1650 building was destroyed by fire) is not open to the public, but you can take a peek inside the main entrance, which is a beautiful example of Moorish architecture. Source: www.viator.com
Cathedral
Built between 1562 and 1806, the iconic white façade and towering columns of the Cathedral of Quito today remains one of the most recognizable and distinguished structures in the city’s historic center. The impressive exterior is visible from hillsides that rise high outside of Quito, but travelers will find that its well-preserved interior is equally as stunning. The religious monument is home to numerous works of art, including sculptures and paintings by artists that came up during the republican and colonial eras. The walls of the choir are covered by an incredible Miguel de Santiago painting known as the Death of the Virgin. The Cathedral of Quito is not only the largest Catholic church in Quito, but also one of the largest in Latin America. Source: www.viator.com
Built between 1562 and 1806, the iconic white façade and towering columns of the Cathedral of Quito today remains one of the most recognizable and distinguished structures in the city’s historic center. The impressive exterior is visible from hillsides that rise high outside of Quito, but travelers will find that its well-preserved interior is equally as stunning. The religious monument is home to numerous works of art, including sculptures and paintings by artists that came up during the republican and colonial eras. The walls of the choir are covered by an incredible Miguel de Santiago painting known as the Death of the Virgin. The Cathedral of Quito is not only the largest Catholic church in Quito, but also one of the largest in Latin America. Source: www.viator.com
El Sagrario
Technically, El Sagrario is the chapel that’s physically attached to Quito’s Old Town Cathedral. Thanks to its separate entrance, however, and ornate, stone façade, El Sagrario is considered a sight unto itself when wandering Quito’s Old Town. Constructed between 1617 and 1747, El Sagrario showcases architectural styles from Baroque to Neoclassical. Ionian columns and Corinthian columns both help hold up the façade, and the interior is lavishly decorated with touches of Renaissance art. Gaze upward at the frescoed archangels flying their way towards the chapel’s cupola, or down at the crypts beneath the floor that hold some of Quito’s remains. One of Quito’s most celebrated sculptors—Bernardo de Legarda—placed his touches on El Sagrario in the middle of the 18th century, and in addition to being a literal sanctuary from Old Town’s bustling streets, El Sagrario is a cultural and artistic treasure. Source: www.viator.com
Technically, El Sagrario is the chapel that’s physically attached to Quito’s Old Town Cathedral. Thanks to its separate entrance, however, and ornate, stone façade, El Sagrario is considered a sight unto itself when wandering Quito’s Old Town. Constructed between 1617 and 1747, El Sagrario showcases architectural styles from Baroque to Neoclassical. Ionian columns and Corinthian columns both help hold up the façade, and the interior is lavishly decorated with touches of Renaissance art. Gaze upward at the frescoed archangels flying their way towards the chapel’s cupola, or down at the crypts beneath the floor that hold some of Quito’s remains. One of Quito’s most celebrated sculptors—Bernardo de Legarda—placed his touches on El Sagrario in the middle of the 18th century, and in addition to being a literal sanctuary from Old Town’s bustling streets, El Sagrario is a cultural and artistic treasure. Source: www.viator.com
Presidential Palace (Palacio de Carondelet)
located in Quito’s Independence Square and is currently the seat of government of the Republic of Ecuador. After the Battle of Pichincha in 1822, the palace became the headquarters of the south department of Gran Colombia, a name used today for a short-lived republic that encompassed much of northern South America and part of southern Central America. The palace was later refurbished in the 19th century by Barón Luis Héctor de Carondelet, giving it its current name. The palace was built in the French Renaissance and Spanish Baroque architectural styles and is now open to tours. In 2007, Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa, converted part of the palace into a museum for the benefit of the people of Ecuador and visitors. Highlights of the tour are portraits of past and present presidents of Ecuador, elegant colonial-style meeting rooms, inner courtyards and an area that displays gifts from other nations. Art and historic objects such as furniture are also on display. The president of Ecuador and his family reside on the third floor. Source: www.viator.com
located in Quito’s Independence Square and is currently the seat of government of the Republic of Ecuador. After the Battle of Pichincha in 1822, the palace became the headquarters of the south department of Gran Colombia, a name used today for a short-lived republic that encompassed much of northern South America and part of southern Central America. The palace was later refurbished in the 19th century by Barón Luis Héctor de Carondelet, giving it its current name. The palace was built in the French Renaissance and Spanish Baroque architectural styles and is now open to tours. In 2007, Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa, converted part of the palace into a museum for the benefit of the people of Ecuador and visitors. Highlights of the tour are portraits of past and present presidents of Ecuador, elegant colonial-style meeting rooms, inner courtyards and an area that displays gifts from other nations. Art and historic objects such as furniture are also on display. The president of Ecuador and his family reside on the third floor. Source: www.viator.com
La Basilica of the National Vow Church (La Basilica del Voto Nacional)
is one of the most beautiful Roman Catholic churches in Quito. Set up on a hill and visible from almost anywhere in the city, it’s particularly striking after dark, when it is illuminated. Construction began in 1883 on what became the largest neo-Gothic church in the Americas, measuring 140 meters long and 35 meters wide, and reaching a height of 30 meters in the nave. The two front towers stand 115 meters tall. The neo-Gothic decoration has an interesting twist — it features gargoyles and ornaments that depict local animals such as armadillos, iguanas, pumas, monkeys, tortoises and condors. The abundant artwork also includes bronze statues, stained-glass windows and impressive stonework. Get the best views by climbing to the top of the three towers, where you can see a large portion of Quito and the surrounding mountains. Walking from one tower to the next on wooden bridges and steep ladders adds to the thrill. The church is technically unfinished, and local legend has it that when La Basilica is completed, the end of the world will come. Source: www.viator.com
is one of the most beautiful Roman Catholic churches in Quito. Set up on a hill and visible from almost anywhere in the city, it’s particularly striking after dark, when it is illuminated. Construction began in 1883 on what became the largest neo-Gothic church in the Americas, measuring 140 meters long and 35 meters wide, and reaching a height of 30 meters in the nave. The two front towers stand 115 meters tall. The neo-Gothic decoration has an interesting twist — it features gargoyles and ornaments that depict local animals such as armadillos, iguanas, pumas, monkeys, tortoises and condors. The abundant artwork also includes bronze statues, stained-glass windows and impressive stonework. Get the best views by climbing to the top of the three towers, where you can see a large portion of Quito and the surrounding mountains. Walking from one tower to the next on wooden bridges and steep ladders adds to the thrill. The church is technically unfinished, and local legend has it that when La Basilica is completed, the end of the world will come. Source: www.viator.com
Calle La Ronda (Calle Juan de Dios Morales)
In downtown Quito, you’ll find the essence of the city along the emblematic street affectionately called Calle La Ronda. Visiting this pedestrian street at the southern end of the Old Town is like taking a walk back in time. The narrow houses with their balconies and interior courtyards tell the story of Spain’s influence in Ecuador. But the history of Calle La Ronda goes much further back; rumor has it the Incas used this same path beginning in the 1400s. In time, people established houses along the route, and taverns were opened to care for the needs of travelers. Painters, poets, musicians, writers and other influential people have been drawn to this street, where the colonial architecture, music, art and food sum up the identity of Quito. Although the area went through a period of violence, it has since been restored and is now a safe place to visit, especially popular among locals and tourists on weekends. Go at night to get the full cultural flavor, when live music spills out of tiny bars and the bohemian atmosphere makes it seem as though the artists and poets that lived on this street in times past have come to life again. Source: www.viator.com
In downtown Quito, you’ll find the essence of the city along the emblematic street affectionately called Calle La Ronda. Visiting this pedestrian street at the southern end of the Old Town is like taking a walk back in time. The narrow houses with their balconies and interior courtyards tell the story of Spain’s influence in Ecuador. But the history of Calle La Ronda goes much further back; rumor has it the Incas used this same path beginning in the 1400s. In time, people established houses along the route, and taverns were opened to care for the needs of travelers. Painters, poets, musicians, writers and other influential people have been drawn to this street, where the colonial architecture, music, art and food sum up the identity of Quito. Although the area went through a period of violence, it has since been restored and is now a safe place to visit, especially popular among locals and tourists on weekends. Go at night to get the full cultural flavor, when live music spills out of tiny bars and the bohemian atmosphere makes it seem as though the artists and poets that lived on this street in times past have come to life again. Source: www.viator.com
Intinan Museum
For hundreds of years, it was believed the Equator bisected Ecuador at the Mitad del Mundo monument, but new data has revealed the site is off by a few hundred meters. The nearby Intinan Museum, it’s said, is the site of the real Equator, although GPS info seems to point out that neither spot is correct. Either way, regardless of the Equator’s exact location, this small museum north of Quito is still a fascinating stop. Try to balance an egg on a nail or watch water spin opposite ways, and while some of the exhibits might be staged, the concepts behind the gravity and physics are curiously entertaining. In addition to exhibits about the Equator, the Intinan Museum also offers a look at Ecuador’s culture—from the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands to Amazonian tribes. Source: www.viator.com
For hundreds of years, it was believed the Equator bisected Ecuador at the Mitad del Mundo monument, but new data has revealed the site is off by a few hundred meters. The nearby Intinan Museum, it’s said, is the site of the real Equator, although GPS info seems to point out that neither spot is correct. Either way, regardless of the Equator’s exact location, this small museum north of Quito is still a fascinating stop. Try to balance an egg on a nail or watch water spin opposite ways, and while some of the exhibits might be staged, the concepts behind the gravity and physics are curiously entertaining. In addition to exhibits about the Equator, the Intinan Museum also offers a look at Ecuador’s culture—from the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands to Amazonian tribes. Source: www.viator.com
Pululahua Volcano
is inactive but its past eruptions, the last around 2500 years ago, have left a huge crater full of fertile soil. At 34 square kilometres, the volcanic crater is one of the largest in the world. The lava dome in the middle rises around 500 metres above the crater floor and is covered in lush cloudforest vegetation. Pululahua is one of only 2 inhabited volcanic caldera in the world and the only one cultivated by its inhabitants. It is believed that it was first settled by the Incas. The small agricultural communities here grow various crops in the rich soil of the fields around the floor of the crater. Pululahua is Quichua for "Smoke of Water" or "Cloud of Water". This probably refers to the fog or "neblina" which rolls in around midday every day and fills the crater. The fog is the only real source of water for the crops cultivated here, because it virtually never rains at Pululahua. The crops thrive in the fog but tourists generally don't, so visit in the morning to see the fantastic views and photograph the attractive scenery. The unique microclimate of Pululahua is caused by the form of the volcanic crater and lava dome. It supports cloudforests and many orchids and other types of plants on the crater walls and the peaks of the central lava dome, as well as the fertile farmland below. For this reason, Pululahua was declared a Geobotanical Reserve in 1966 and is regulated by Ecuador's Ministry of the Environment. Source: www.ecuadortravelsite.org
is inactive but its past eruptions, the last around 2500 years ago, have left a huge crater full of fertile soil. At 34 square kilometres, the volcanic crater is one of the largest in the world. The lava dome in the middle rises around 500 metres above the crater floor and is covered in lush cloudforest vegetation. Pululahua is one of only 2 inhabited volcanic caldera in the world and the only one cultivated by its inhabitants. It is believed that it was first settled by the Incas. The small agricultural communities here grow various crops in the rich soil of the fields around the floor of the crater. Pululahua is Quichua for "Smoke of Water" or "Cloud of Water". This probably refers to the fog or "neblina" which rolls in around midday every day and fills the crater. The fog is the only real source of water for the crops cultivated here, because it virtually never rains at Pululahua. The crops thrive in the fog but tourists generally don't, so visit in the morning to see the fantastic views and photograph the attractive scenery. The unique microclimate of Pululahua is caused by the form of the volcanic crater and lava dome. It supports cloudforests and many orchids and other types of plants on the crater walls and the peaks of the central lava dome, as well as the fertile farmland below. For this reason, Pululahua was declared a Geobotanical Reserve in 1966 and is regulated by Ecuador's Ministry of the Environment. Source: www.ecuadortravelsite.org