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Colonial Quito, Quito

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Colonial Quito, Quito
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Things to Do in Quito: Colonial Quito tips and photos posted by real travelers and Quito locals.
Colonial Quito
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Colonial Quito: Igelsia de la Compañia
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  • Updated By travelmad478 on March 26, 2008
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  • Colonial Quito - Quito
    by travelmad478
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    Although this church was technically closed for renovation when we happened on it, we noticed that a few tour groups seemed to be getting to go inside. We quickly decided that we looked as much like Germans as the group of German tourists that were entering at that moment, and we just followed them in the door like we owned the place. The guards fell for it, and we were in! Once inside, we just gasped. This church looks mighty impressive from the outside, but the inside is positively staggering. Just about every surface in the church is covered with gold--yup, that is real gold, about seven tons of it (according to the tour guide we were eavesdropping on). Ornately carved panels, ceilings, altars...all shining with gold. Don't miss the painting to the right side of the door, depicting Hell with all of the various sins and their corresponding punishments. Very scary--I think this was used to keep Quito's kids on the straight and narrow.

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    Colonial Quito: Plaza Grande
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  • Updated By richiecdisc on November 9, 2007
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  • the lovely Plaza Grande early morning - Quito
    the lovely Plaza Grande early
    morning
    by richiecdisc, 2 more photos
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    Plaza Grande is the focal point of the Old Town. You can’t miss it and locals congregate there just about any time of day. Mornings are the least busy but you’ll never have it to yourself. Nice evenings are particularly busy. It’s a great place to relax and take in local life. It’s also particularly scenic with pretty landscaping and a few nice fountains and statues. Nothing is spectacular in its own right but the overall effect is quite satisfying. It’s lined on three of four sides with beautiful buildings that include an attractive cathedral, the exquisite presidential palace and the archbishop’s palace which now houses storefronts.

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  • Directions: At the very heart of the Old Town, sided by Garcia Moreno, Venezuela, Chile, and Espejo.

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    Colonial Quito: Colonial Quito
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  • Updated By tejanasueca on May 24, 2005
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  • Colonial Quito, Plaza de Independencia, Ecuador - Quito
    Colonial Quito, Plaza de
    Independencia, Ecuador
    by tejanasueca
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    Colonial Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is definitely worth a visit. The area used to be dangerous to tourist, but recently it has been cleaned up and there is a large presence of security. However, this does not mean that there are no pick pocketers there. Always bring as little as possible to this area (not large bags, etc) and make sure you keep your money in a safe place! The most important places in Colonial Quito is Plaza de la Independencia and Plaza de San Francisco. The Plaza de la Independencia is the most important one, and home to the 400-year old Palacio Presidencial and a Cathedral. Ask a local about the legend of the rooster on top of this church. In front of Palacio Presidencial you will find neatly dressed guards who are more than happy to be in a picture. Plaza de San Francisco is dominated by the gigantic Monasterio de San Francisco. The plaza itself is dominated by poor kids wanting to shin your shoes. However, if you sit on the steps of the monastery a few minutes on a late afternoon, you will get a pretty good sense of the spirit of this part of town.

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  • Address: Central Quito
  • Directions: Ecovia stop La Marin. Take the pedestrian street Chile to the right (when facing south) to get to Plaza de la Independencia. From there, take a left on García Moreno and a right on Sucre to reach Plaza San Francisco.

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    Colonial Quito: Plaza San Francisco
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  • Updated By richiecdisc on November 9, 2007
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  • Monasterio de San Franciso - Quito
    Monasterio de San Franciso
    by richiecdisc, 3 more photos
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    As if the Plaza Grande were not enough, Quito’s “other” square is perhaps Ecuador’s most spectacular man made sight. Coming across Plaza San Francisco is like stepping back in time with its massive cobblestone courtyard and the oldest church in Ecuador, the imposing Monasterio de San Francisco. I guess even the shoe shine boys realize this is the real deal as this is where they congregate to make a buck. Luckily they are not as persistent as in Cuzco and you can enjoy the square in relative peace. If it gets to be too much outside there is more than enough to keep you busy with the monastery including an extensive museum and one of the most beautiful altars in all of South America. Unfortunately, it was under construction while we were there so I guess that’s another reason to come back. The monastery dates back to the early 1500s and took nearly 70 years to complete.

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  • Address: corner of Cuenca & Sucre
  • Directions: two blocks from the Plaza Grande.

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    Colonial Quito: Arco de la Reina & Monasterio de Carmen Alto
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  • Updated By richiecdisc on November 9, 2007
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  • impressive Arco de la Reina & the monastery - Quito
    impressive Arco de la Reina &
    the monastery
    by richiecdisc
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    At the far south side of the Old Town stands the impressive Arco de la Reina, built in the 18th century to protect church goers and seemingly tourists of today as it more or less divides where you should and shouldn’t venture in the city. It certainly is not a sharp distinction as a very good museum lays just on the other side as well as the beautiful Monasterio de Carmen Alto. The monastery is a working one and the cloistered nuns cannot be viewed though do sell their wares (including traditional sweets) through a revolving door that keeps them hidden.

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  • Address: corner of Garcia Moreno & Rocafuerte
  • Directions: Far south side of town, a great quiet area to wander around.

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    Colonial Quito: La Compania de Jesus
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  • Updated By richiecdisc on November 10, 2007
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  • the familiar dome from Basilica del Voto Nacional - Quito
    the familiar dome from
    Basilica del Voto Nacional
    by richiecdisc, 3 more photos
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    La Compania de Jesus is to churches as gold is to rings. If you like ornate and you like gold, this is THE church to visit in Ecuador. Dating back to the early 1600s the green and gold dome of the main altar is visible from around the city, most notably Plaza San Francisco but it's real claim to fame is the gold laden interior which reportedly is emblazoned with seven tons of gold. They charge an exhorbitant $2.50 to enter but if you go on Sundays right after the mass you can get in for free.

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  • Directions: Sucre & Garcia Moreno.

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    Colonial Quito: Interior of La Compania
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  • By filipdebont on August 28, 2003
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  • Magnificent ceiling - Quito
    Magnificent ceiling
    by filipdebont
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    Once you have entered the Compania de Jesus church, you are overwhelmed by its beauty. Wow, all those decorations, the guide told us that for the decoration of the ceiling alone, they used more then 700 kg of gold. And believe me, it is only half as beautiful on a picture, you really should see this with your own eyes.

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  • Address: Garcia Moreno

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    Colonial Quito: Plaza Santo Domingo
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  • Updated By richiecdisc on November 9, 2007
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  • Plaza Santo Domingo on a rare quiet day - Quito
    Plaza Santo Domingo on a rare
    quiet day
    by richiecdisc, 1 more photos
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    Plaza Santo Domingo is another huge scenic square that is a regular meeting ground for street performers as well as political demonstrations and parties. There is a general festive feel but especially so in the evenings when the square’s namesake 17th century church is a glow from floodlights as is the statue of Mariscal Sucre that stands sentinel.

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  • Address: Flores & Rocafuerte
  • Directions: At the south end of the Old Town.

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    Colonial Quito: El Sagrario
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  • Updated By filipdebont on August 29, 2003
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  • a beautiful facade - Quito
    a beautiful facade
    by filipdebont
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    In the same street of La Compania de Jesus (Calle Garcia Moreno) you find El Sagrario. And just around the corner there is the Cathedral (Plaza de Independencia). As you can see all beautiful sights are within walking distance. This church has been hit by an earthquake in 1987. That is why they are still restoring it. The façade with its ornamented Salomon columns is a great frame for the High Baroque. In the early days this Sagrario was a chapel of the Cathedral, (built for the cult of the blessed heart), but nowadays it is an independent church. There is no entrance fee.

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  • Address: Garcia Moreno

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    Colonial Quito: Museo Numismatico del Banco Central
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  • Updated By filipdebont on August 29, 2003
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  • What a great building - Quito
    What a great building
    by filipdebont
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    On the other corner of the crossing of Garcia Moreno and Sucre, there is the Museo Numismatico (museum of the history of the coins). The building is the Central Bank of Ecuador. I am not sure if it is still used as a bank, as we had no time to enter this building. But it is a great building, certainly worth to stop and to admire the great architecture.

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  • Address: Garcia Moreno and Sucre
  • Phone: 2589 284
  • Website: (mail) : ciza@uio.bce.fin.ec

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