Quito World Cultural Heritage Site

In and around Quito

Besides its amazing landscapes, Quito is known for its treasures of colonial

churches, paintings, sculptures and carvings. The Spanish Colonial Period extends from the XVI to the XVIII Century. Ecuadorian colonial art combines the European Renaissance and Baroque styles with the indigenous and mestizo influences. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the Roman Catholic Church became the center of religious instruction and the largest patron of the arts. As part of the acculturation of the indigenous people, the Spanish established painting and sculpture schools where Spanish artists trained the indigenous population in the arts.

As a result, the Quitenian School (Escuela Quiteña) became famous in Latin America for its talented artists, including Bernardo de Legarda and the indigenous artists Caspicara and Pampite. Miguel de Santiago, Javier de Goribar, Manuel Samaniego and Padre Bedón were other outstanding representatives of this art school. Scholars consider their contributions to colonial art as some of the most valuable in America. Thus, the UNESCO declared Quito a "World Cultural Heritage Site" in 1978.

However, the history of Quito stretches far beyond the arrival of the Spaniards. Before the Spanish Sebastian de Benalcázar conquered the city in 1534, the Incas conquered it in the XV century. At the time when the Incas came, they found an organized civilization: the Shyris. Furthermore, recent discoveries have uncovered archeological sites that date back to 1500 BC. These archeological remains are aligned with the summer solstice and the winter equinox, demonstrating that the native people had an impressive knowledge of the course of the sun. These cultures are believed to have migrated from the Ecuadorian Coast.

Quitsa-to, the original name of the city, means "middle of the Earth" in the ancient ‘tsafiqui’ language. Quito is the only site on the planet where the Equator crosses over highlands. On the rest of the Earth’s surface, it crosses through jungle or ocean. Therefore, the pre-Inca cultures could develop their astronomical knowledge aided by the clear landmarks surrounding the city: the Pichincha volcano (15,000 ft) to the West, the Antisana (18,700ft) to the east, and the peak of the snow-caped Cayambe (18,725 ft) to the Northeast, almost precisely on the Equator. The city itself emerges over 9,184 ft above sea level; it is the second highest capital in the world. Thus, Quito could be considered the best natural astronomical observatory.

Quito extends along the Eastern side of the Pichincha volcano. The city is long and thin, with a length of aprox. 22 miles and a width of 2-3 miles. The temperature in the city varies along the day… in the early morning and at night it can be at 10ºC, and at noon it can reach up to 25ºC. The geographical conditions of the zone give place to a number of ecosystems, thus, Quito’s surroundings offer a diversity of landscapes, each with unique flora and fauna.

Sightseeing

We suggest that you to begin your sightseeing at the main square "La Plaza de la Independencia". This booklet will guide you through churches, museums and other interesting places in our colonial downtown. From Independence Square you can walk to most of the downtown sites. The main plaza or Independence Square is surrounded by four buildings that represent the four ruling powers of the colonial period: the Government Palace on the West, the Municipal Palace on the East, the Archbishop’s Palace on the north, and the Cathedral on the south.

The Government's Palace

It is not possible to visit the interiors of the palace, however, from the entrance door one is able to appreciate the Andalusian patios that have half-point arches and water fountains in the center. The irons of the building are also interesting. They were brought from the Tullerias Palace in France. A scale model of the Independence Square is exposed in the entrance to the Palace.

Quito Churches

The Cathedral

This church holds an interesting collection of sculptures and paintings from the Escuela Quiteña. Among the most important is the "Descending of Christ" by Caspicara. It is a masterpiece of expressionism. As in most Ecuadorian and Latin American churches, many styles are used in the construction of the Cathedral: late Gothic in the arches, Moorish in the ceilings and Baroque in the main altar. The choir, the stone Episcopal chair, the central painting by Manuel Samaniego and the statues by Caspicara are of neoclassical style. A museum that displays the clothes used by the priests on the XVII century ("casullas"), choral books and silver pieces of the church is open Monday thru Saturday from 9h30 to 16h00.  Guided tour is $1.50 for adults and $1 for children. Phone: 257 0371.

Centro Cultural Metropolitano

It is located on the corner of the Main Square, next to the Government’s Palace. The Jesuits originally constructed this building in the XVII Century. It was remodeled to house a monumental Cultural Center. The original buildings were a Jesuit University and School. In 1767, when Charles III of Spain banished the Jesuit Order from the colonized territories, the buildings became a public University. On the last decade of the XVIII century, the buildings became the army headquarters of the Spanish Royal troops sent from Lima to repress the early independence efforts. Thus, the building was known as the "Royal Barrack of Lima". In this building, the heroic efforts for independence ended up in a massacre of a number of patriots from Quito on August 2, 1810. The Alberto Mena Caamaño Museum displays this massacre with real size wax sculptures, as well as other important scenes of Quito’s history. Several exhibit rooms were recently inaugurated.
The Cultural Center also holds a museum of colonial art as well and the Municipal Library.
There is also a Contemporary Art exhibit room, which houses temporary exhibitions.
Enjoy its beauty and history as well as its cultural services! Open Tuesday thru Sunday from 9h00 to 17h00. Admission fee to the museum is $1.50; students and senior citizens $0.75; children $0.50. Phone: 295-7062.

El Sagrario

This church was originally the main chapel of the Cathedral, built for the cult of the Holy Sacrament. It has been kept for this service until these days. The stone facade with its ornamented Salomon columns is an excellent frame for a high Baroque that leaves practically no space without ornamentation. This style is typical of Bernardo de Legarda’s sculpture. It is located next to the Cathedral. Visiting hours: Mon–Fri: 9h-17h00, Sat: 07h-20h00, Sun 07h-13h00. Admission is free. For more information, call 228 4398.

La Compañia de Jesús Church

This is one of the richest churches in America. The extraordinary facade can be described as a lacework on stone. Six Salomonic columns in the lower part support a second body of different widths, reminiscent of the Church of Gesu in Rome. The columns are a copy of those by Bernini in the Vatican. The splendor that meets your eye as you go into the church is unforgettable: the vaulted ceiling and the walls with beautiful Moorish ornamentation, the perfect harmony and the richness of the main altar, the reproduction of the Salomon columns of the facade, the incredible clustered Baroque on the tribunes on both sides of the main altar, in the pulpit, and in the lateral chapels. Everything is covered with gold leaf. It is a magnificent exhibit of foliage, vines, fruits, birds and caryatids. The Holy Trinity in the main altar and the images of Saint Francis and Saint Ignatius in the side altars are works of the famous Legarda. Paintings of the prophets, works of Goribar, are hung in the majestic archery that divides the aisles. It is located at Benalcazar St. Open Monday thru Friday 09h30 to 17h30, Saturdays and holidays 09h30 to 16h30, Sundays 13h30 to 16h30. Phone: 2581895 o 2584175. Admission fee is US$ 2, and includes guide service.

San Francisco Church and Plaza

This complex gave the capital of Ecuador its proper name: San Francisco de Quito. It is the oldest in Quito, built in 1536-1580. San Francisco is the biggest religious architectonic complex in America, with over 8,670 acres, including the convent with 6 internal patios. The atrium running along one side of the plaza is opened in the middle to give way to a beautiful staircase. The facade has a style similar to that of the Escorial in Spain. The inside is Baroque style. The coffer ceiling in the narthex has rich Moorish style ornamentation with paintings by Miguel de Santiago. It is interesting to note among the ornate details images of the sun god, the Inca divinity. The main altar holds the original masterpiece by Legarda: "La Virgen de Quito"(Quito’s Virgin). This sculpture is the only winged image of Virgin Mary in colonial art.
The San Francisco Plaza was an antique "Tianguez", which means ‘market’ in the native Nahuatl language. During Pre-Columbian times, Plaza San Francisco was a lively commercial center, which hosted approximately ten ethnic dominations from the neighboring valleys.
San Francisco is located between Sucre and Bolívar Streets. Church visiting hours: Friday thru Sunday 7h00 to 11h00 and 17h00 to 18h00.  Free admission.  Phone: 2959911.

Cantuña Chapel

Located at one side of the San Franciscan atrium. The Calvary woodcarvings on the main altar are one of Legarda’s most outstanding masterpieces of the colonial times. Saint Peter of Alcántara is another masterpiece to look at, carved by Padre Carlos. A legend of the chapel says that Francisco Cantuña (the indigenous man that paved the atrium with large stone blocks) constructed the chapel with the treasures saved from the Kingdom of Quito.
Visiting hours: Tuesday thru  Thursday 8h00 - 17h00.  Free admission.  Phone: 2281124.

San Francisco Museum

Located next to the church at the San Francisco Square. The zaguan (antique entrance hall), the main cloister, the renaissance stairway, the chorus and the exposition lounge are now the site of a number of selected works of the Franciscan collection. You can find works of Andrés Sánchez Galque (of indigenous origin), Miguel de Santiago, Mateo Mexía, the European authors Zurbarán and Bernardo de Bitti, or their respective schools, among others of the XVI-XVIII centuries. Among the sculptures, you can find the glass eyes characteristic of the XVIII century. You will also find pieces of furniture of the XVIII century. The museum is called Fray Pedro Gocial in honor to the first painting instructor.
Open Monday thru Saturday 09h00 to 17h00, Sunday 9h00 to 12h00.
Admission fee: $ 2 adults, $1 children.  Phone: 228 1124.

Convent of San Diego

The Saint Francis congregation constructed this church to provide the priests and laymen with a place of retreat. Along the corridors are paintings dating back to the XVII century, which had been covered with lime for years and are now being restored. A genuine manifestation of syncretism!
Open every day from 09h30 to 13h00 and 14h30 to 17h30. Phone: 295 2516. Admission fee: $2.00..

San Augustine Church

It is on the corner of Chile and Guayaquil Streets. The construction of this church was finished in 1538 and has been remodeled due to earthquake damage. The vault underneath the chorus, the wood carved columns, and the gilded altars are the only remains of the original construction.

San Augustine Convent

The first thing to admire here are the beautiful cloisters in three different levels, the fountain in the colonial patio carved from a single block of stone, the coffer ceiling in the lower cloister, and the huge collection of paintings by the artist Miguel de Santiago.
The artist spent most of his life working in the convent to finish the task of painting the scenes of St. Augustine’s life. Open Monday thru Friday 09h00-12h30 and 14h30-17h00 / Saturday 9h00 to 13h00. Admission is $1, children and senior citizens $0.50. Phone: 295 5525.

Junin Street

This charming street is in the downtown colonial district of Quito. Colorful houses and decorated balconies together with a peaceful atmosphere, generate a place worth visiting. Along the street you can visit: Manuela Saenz Museum, Kigman Museum (opening shortly), the Ecuadorian Architecture Museum, the National Watercolour Museum, the XVI th Century San Marcos Church, Engravers from the Quitenian School of Art, and a famous guitar factory.

Sala Capitular

In this same convent you will find one of the most important historical sites in Spanish America. The first Act of Independence was signed here on August 10th, 1809.
The Calvary masterpiece by a Quitenian artist named Olmos from the XVII century is located to the right of this large room. Entrance fee: US$.1.

La Merced Church and Convent

One can admire a stone-carved pagan god, Neptune. Also noticeable are Bernardo Legarda’s main altar woodcarvings and an image of great beauty of Our Lady of Mercy in stone.
Visiting hours: Monday thru Saturday from 7h00-12h00 and 14h30-17h30.  Free admission.   Phone: 2280743.

Camilo Egas Museum

This museum was created in the 80´s to honor one of the most representative Ecuadorian painters of the XXth century. It was remodeled and reopened to the public in 2003. It holds a permanent exhibit of a collection of Camilo Egas´ paintings, in a display that allows one to learn about the different phases in which the artist worked (indigenism, expressionism, surrealism, cubism and abstraction of the shape) in a didactical and hands-on manner.
Address: Venezuela 1302 and Esmeraldas.
Open: Thursday - Friday 9h-16h00/weekends and holidays10h-16h00. Price: $0.25 including guide service.Phone: 257-2012.

Other interesting places in this city:

The Monument on the Equator

It is located approximately 20 minutes away from Quito, at San Antonio de Pichincha. The “Mitad del Mundo City ” surrounding the monument includes several restaurants and folklore shops, museums about the missions that measured the Earth, the "Solar Culture Museum" (with a display of the latest investigations about the real middle of the world), and a Planetarium. Inside the monument is an interesting Ethnic Museum. You can shop and place one foot on the northern Hemisphere and the other on the southern Hemisphere. Entrance fee to the “Middle of the World City” is $3.00, to the Ethnic Museum $3.00, to the Planetarium $1.50. Visiting hours: Monday thru Thursday 09h00-18h00, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 09h00-19h00.

El Ejido Park

It is located at Patria and Amazonas Avenues. If you like contemporary art, this is the place to be on weekends. A walk in the park will bring you face to face with beautiful paintings and other handicrafts. You may bargain with the artists to get reasonable prices. The park is a great setting for an afternoon stroll.

La Mariscal

"La Mariscal" can be considered the entertainment district of Quito, where you find a variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, internet cafes, Spanish schools, and a large range of hosting options. Plaza El Quinde (Reina Victoria and Foch) is one of the most popular meeting points for both Ecuadorians and tourists. Every Wednesday night at 20h30 live music presentations take place at this charming Plaza. Only two blocks away from the plaza is the charming traditional Juan Rodriguez Street , a quiet retreat from the busy entertainment district.

The Mercado Artesanal (handicraft market) offers a variety of handicrafts from all over the country for excellent prices, displayed in more than 100 colorful stands. If you are not able to visit the Otavalo indigenous market at the Imbabura province, this market in Quito is a must. It is located at Jorge Washington St. between Reina Victoria and Juan Leon Mera St.
Open every day from 10h00 to 19h00.

The Mindalae - Ethno - historic Museum of Handicrafts - is also found in La Mariscal

"Mindalae" is the pre Hispanic name of the indigenous tradesman who, with his basket tied to his back, walked long distances carrying merchandise to offer at the popular market called "tianguez". The second floor of the museum holds and exhibit of utensils from Amazonian cultures. At this same floor there are also handicrafts for sale. The third floor presents a display of the origins of the natural fibers used in textiles, such as seeds and wood from native tress. Finally, at the fourth floor, the museum holds a demonstration of the indigenous skills in textile production.

Open Monday thru Saturday from 9h30 to 17h30. Sundays from 10h30 to 16h30. Located at the corner of Reina Victoria and La Niña St. Admission fee: $3 general, $1.50 students and senior citizens.

Guápulo Church

This sanctuary is located in a little village two kilometers heading down from the Hotel Quito. It is open Monday thru Saturday from 9h00 to 12h30 and from  15h00 to 18h00. This sanctuary can be reached by car or bus in about 10 minutes or you can walk down a Colonial stone paved path which was the route followed by Francisco de Orellana to discover the Amazon River. The facade and the dome of the church have a simple neoclassic style. The main altar painted by Miguel de Santiago and the image of our Lady of Guadalupe by Diego de Robles are original masterpieces.
Many consider the pulpit carved by the Indigenous Sculptor Menacho as the most beautiful in America.
Phone number: 256 5652.
Entrance fee: US$1,50.

El Panecillo

Many historical happenings took place on this natural hill that stands in Quito. "Panecillo" means "little bread" referring to its peculiar size and shape. The Virgin that stands on the hill, which consists of 7,000 pieces of aluminum, is a modern representation of the famous "Virgen de Quito", the unique winged dancing Virgin conceived by Bernardo Legarda in the XVIIth century. (The original masterpiece can be seen at the main altar of the San Francisco Church). There is a balcony in the upper part of the pedestal of the Virgin that provides a beautiful view of the colonial and the modern city of Quito. This sculpture is the third biggest of the sightseeing statues in the world, after the NY Statue of Liberty and the Corcovada in Brazil.
Open Moday thru Thursday 9h00 to 17h00, Friday thru Sunday 9h00 to 21h00. The entrance fee to the interior of the monument is $1 for adults, $050 for children

Quito Museums

Central Bank Museum

It is located at the Casa de la Cultura (Cultural House) on 6 de Diciembre and Patria Avenues. Visiting hours: Tuesdays-Fridays 09h00 to17h00/ weekends and holidays10h00 to16h00. Phone: 222-3258. Pre-Colonial, Colonial and contemporary Art appears in 1,417 pieces exhibited permanently and in itinerary and temporary displays. It also presents an opportunity to learn about our origin, evolution and history.
Visiting hours: Tuesday thru Friday 09h00 to16h00 / weekends and holidays 10h00 to15h00. Admission fee: $2.  Guide service available. Phone: 222-3258.

Benalcazar House-Museum

This museum displays paintings of the XVII century and sculptures of the XVII and XIII century. It is located at Olmedo and Benalcazar St. Open Mondays to Fridays 09h30 to 13h00 and 15h30 to 19h00.

City Museum - Museo de la Ciudad

Located at García Moreno 572 and Rocafuerte (colonial Quito), this museum opens Tuesday thru Sunday from 9h30 to 17h30.
Follow Quito’s everyday life through the centuries in the beautiful colonial building converted into the "Museo de la Ciudad" (City Museum). The museum is in the interior of the building that once was the San Juan de Dios Hospital (1565) and includes an exhibit of the city’s history throughout the centuries, from pre-Hispanic times to the nineteenth century.
Entrance fee: $3 adults, $2 students, $1 children and senior citizens. Nighttime tours with theatrical representations upon request. Price: $15 per person (includes a cocktail). Phone: 228 3882 / 228-3883.

María Augusta Urrutia Museum

Located at García Moreno 760 (colonial Quito). Follow along the life and activities of a wealthy and very generous woman of Quito’s early XXth century. Observe the architecture of a typical house in colonial Quito. Enjoy the beautifully decorated interiors (especially the French antiques), and the distinctive clothing and artifacts of the time.
Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10h00 to 18h00, weekends 9h30 to 17h30. Admission fee: $2.00 for adults, $1 senior citizens and $0.50 children (includes a guided tour). For more information call: 258-0103.

Guayasamín Museum and "La Capilla del Hombre" (Man’s Chapel)

A stop at Guayasamin´s house-museum is a must to any visitor in Quito. This museum exhibits an excellent sample of pre-Columbian, colonial and contemporary art from the private collections of the famous Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919-1999). Shortly before his death, Oswaldo Guayasamín donated these collections and his works to the city of Quito. Open Tuesday to Saturdays 10h00 - 17h00. Entrance fee: $3.

Next to the house-museum, "La Capilla del Hombre" (Man’s Chapel) was inaugurated last November. Guayasamín dreamed with this chapel to pay tribute to the American pre-Columbian man, who has quietly kept 500 years of resistance and still struggles to recover his values. The artist started the construction of this Chapel on 1995, but unfortunately he died before his masterpiece was concluded. With the effort of his heirs, through the Guayasamín Foundation, the artist’s dream is coming alive. The Chapel itself occupies about 4,000 meters of construction. It is a rectangular construction of two floors, with a strong similarity to Incan temples. On the top it has a dome covered by copper plate, which on its inside is covered by an unconcluded mural of the artist, which will be left intact. Murals that were supposed to narrate the history of the American Man were not concluded, however, the Chapel will hold some of Guayasamín's work as well as that of other well-known Latin-American artists, from Pre-Columbian to contemporary. The altar of the Chapel holds an eternal flame in defense of peace and human rights.
Open Tuesdays to Sundays 10h00 - 17h00.
Address: Bosmediano 543 and José Carbo.
Phone: 246 5265 / 245 2938.
Entrance fee: $3.

Anhalzer-Valdivieso Collection

The showrooms of the Anhalzer-Valdivieso Collection offer visitors an image of the splendor of ancient Ecuador, with a selected presentation of archeology, popular and colonial art.
Open Mondays to Saturdays from 9h00-13h00 and from 15h00-19h00. Entrance is free.
Address: Colón Ave. E10-53.
Phone: 25-41315.

Quito Botanical Garden

Explore the fascinating world of plants! This garden displays more than 1200 orchid species, along with other unique flora species of Ecuador! It is located at Rumipamba St. inside “La Carolina Park”.
Open Monday thru Friday from 8h00 to 17h00. Weekends 9h00 to 17h00. Admission fee: $3.50 adults, $2 children.

Quito Teleferico

Watch Quito from above! Quito´s recently inaugurated “TeleferiQo” (cable cars) takes off at 9,680 ft and reaches 13,284 ft! TeleferiQo is located on Cruz Loma, one of the hills on the slopes of the active Pichincha volcano (15,000 ft) that lies West of the city.

From the city, 18 cabins with a capacity of 6 passengers each climb 3,600 ft in 8-10 minutes! The cable cars climb up to the moorlands, allowing the passengers to oberve the changing vegetation of the Andean highlands. At the top you find a restaurant that overlooks the whole city of Quito, and if the day is clear, you can observe the surrounding volcanoes: Antisana (18,700 ft), Cayambe (18,725 ft), and Cotopaxi (19,347 ft).

At the feet of the TeleferiQo a mega project is starting to take shape, and most phases are to be innaugurated during this month of June. This mega project includes an amusement park “VulQano Park”, a food court, gourmet restaurants, a handicraft plaza, among a variety of other entertainment options.

TeleferiQo is located right off one of Quito´s main highways, Avenida Occidental, close to “La Gasca” Street. Transportation free of charge is offered from most sites of the city.

The cable car has a cost of $4.50 roundtrip and foreing of $8.50, $6.50 children / senior citizens. Open Monday thru Sunday from 8h00 to 20h00. At the foot of TeleferiQo you can enjoy VulQano Park, offering carts, roller coasters and other exciting games for children of all ages.
Phone: 2221996 / 2221320

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