San Pedro de Riobamba – 2777m asl
188km S of Quito; 55km S of Baños; 233km N of Guayaquil - Population: 150,000 inhabitants - Shadowed by five spectacular snowcapped peaks in the heart of the Ecuadorean central highlands, Riobamba is an enchanting small city, with attractive 18th-century architecture, pretty peaceful parks, interesting museums, and charming churches. At an altitude of 2,750m (9,022 ft.), the town enjoys a principally springlike climate, similar to that of Quito, with plenty of cloudless days perfect for taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. As capital of Chimborazo province and a commercial hub, Riobamba boasts a fair amount of hustle and bustle, particularly on weekends, when the town comes alive with street traders and indigenous market sellers arriving from surrounding villages to hawk their goods and produce. Founded in 1534 and known, perhaps a tad pompously, as "The Sultan of the Andes," Riobamba was the original Ecuadorean capital under Spanish rule before suffering a devastating earthquake in 1797. The earthquake almost completely destroyed the town and led to its relocation to the current site. Source: www.frommers.com
188km S of Quito; 55km S of Baños; 233km N of Guayaquil - Population: 150,000 inhabitants - Shadowed by five spectacular snowcapped peaks in the heart of the Ecuadorean central highlands, Riobamba is an enchanting small city, with attractive 18th-century architecture, pretty peaceful parks, interesting museums, and charming churches. At an altitude of 2,750m (9,022 ft.), the town enjoys a principally springlike climate, similar to that of Quito, with plenty of cloudless days perfect for taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. As capital of Chimborazo province and a commercial hub, Riobamba boasts a fair amount of hustle and bustle, particularly on weekends, when the town comes alive with street traders and indigenous market sellers arriving from surrounding villages to hawk their goods and produce. Founded in 1534 and known, perhaps a tad pompously, as "The Sultan of the Andes," Riobamba was the original Ecuadorean capital under Spanish rule before suffering a devastating earthquake in 1797. The earthquake almost completely destroyed the town and led to its relocation to the current site. Source: www.frommers.com
La Catedral
original cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake that leveled the majority of the city in 1797. Elements of the baroque-style façade were rescued and reused in the reconstruction of the current edifice, which was finished in 1837. By 1967, the building had fallen into disrepair, and faculty from La Universidad Central de Quito agreed to help with reconstruction efforts. The building's limestone façade today is a striking mix of religious and pastoral scenes done in bas-relief. Inside, you'll find a mural of 1980 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel. Also noteworthy is a mural on the nave of Christ with indigenous features, painted by artist Oswaldo Viteri. The Chapel of Santa Barbara is located to one side of the cathedral. Source: www.frommers.com
original cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake that leveled the majority of the city in 1797. Elements of the baroque-style façade were rescued and reused in the reconstruction of the current edifice, which was finished in 1837. By 1967, the building had fallen into disrepair, and faculty from La Universidad Central de Quito agreed to help with reconstruction efforts. The building's limestone façade today is a striking mix of religious and pastoral scenes done in bas-relief. Inside, you'll find a mural of 1980 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel. Also noteworthy is a mural on the nave of Christ with indigenous features, painted by artist Oswaldo Viteri. The Chapel of Santa Barbara is located to one side of the cathedral. Source: www.frommers.com
Parque Sucre
was created in the Plaza de Santo Domingo to honor a hero of the Ecuadorian fight for independence, Antonio José de Sucre. The foundation stone for Parque Sucre was laid on Aug. 10, 1919, and the park was inaugurated on Nov. 11, 1924. In 1913, the inaugural year of Riobamba's municipal water system, the city celebrated with the installation of a large fountain in Plaza Santo Domingo. The fountain, which features the Roman god of the sea, Neptune, surrounded by cherubs, is a centerpiece of Parque Sucre. Visitors can locate the fountain just opposite Colegio Nacional Maldonado. Source: www.frommers.com
was created in the Plaza de Santo Domingo to honor a hero of the Ecuadorian fight for independence, Antonio José de Sucre. The foundation stone for Parque Sucre was laid on Aug. 10, 1919, and the park was inaugurated on Nov. 11, 1924. In 1913, the inaugural year of Riobamba's municipal water system, the city celebrated with the installation of a large fountain in Plaza Santo Domingo. The fountain, which features the Roman god of the sea, Neptune, surrounded by cherubs, is a centerpiece of Parque Sucre. Visitors can locate the fountain just opposite Colegio Nacional Maldonado. Source: www.frommers.com
Museo de Arte Religioso (Convento de la Concepción)
is the most prestigious of museums in Riobamba boasting the priceless huge and dramatic gem-encrusted gold monstrance that you will see in Ecuador and probably all of the South American continent. The art encased in this religious art collection is 18th Century. Source: www.frommers.com
is the most prestigious of museums in Riobamba boasting the priceless huge and dramatic gem-encrusted gold monstrance that you will see in Ecuador and probably all of the South American continent. The art encased in this religious art collection is 18th Century. Source: www.frommers.com
Hacienda Abraspungo
located at 2,754 metres above sea level, surrounded by the magnificent Ecuadorian Andes. It is named after a glacial valley which is situated between the Chimborazo Volcano and Carihuairazo, in the exact centre of Ecuador. The architectural style of the hacienda is a fusion between modern and traditional colonial. The Hacienda is adorned with old photographs and illustrations of Andean landscapes, a testimony to an era gone by. The antiques on display in the social areas give the visitor a taste of the Ecuadorian colonial and pre-colombian cultures. Source: www.ehhec.com
located at 2,754 metres above sea level, surrounded by the magnificent Ecuadorian Andes. It is named after a glacial valley which is situated between the Chimborazo Volcano and Carihuairazo, in the exact centre of Ecuador. The architectural style of the hacienda is a fusion between modern and traditional colonial. The Hacienda is adorned with old photographs and illustrations of Andean landscapes, a testimony to an era gone by. The antiques on display in the social areas give the visitor a taste of the Ecuadorian colonial and pre-colombian cultures. Source: www.ehhec.com
Balbanera: The First Catholic Church of Ecuador
Located along the Panamerican highway and near the Colta lagoon, Balbanera is the first catholic church built on Ecuador. Its colonial style and historical beauty makes this place a "must visit". The First Church: This church was founded by the Spanish on August 15th, 1534, so it is a true relic. The building started as a simple hut made of adobe and straws. It was rebuilt after being destroyed by the 1797 earthquake. The church is no more than 10 meters wide and keeps the original construction: the altar, the atrium, and the font are made of stone. Source: www.geocaching.com
Located along the Panamerican highway and near the Colta lagoon, Balbanera is the first catholic church built on Ecuador. Its colonial style and historical beauty makes this place a "must visit". The First Church: This church was founded by the Spanish on August 15th, 1534, so it is a true relic. The building started as a simple hut made of adobe and straws. It was rebuilt after being destroyed by the 1797 earthquake. The church is no more than 10 meters wide and keeps the original construction: the altar, the atrium, and the font are made of stone. Source: www.geocaching.com