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Colonial Quito, Quito
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Colonial Quito, Quito

San Francisco Church - Quito
San Francisco Church
by filipdebont
Colonial Quito tips and photos posted by real travelers and Quito locals.
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Colonial Quito: Plaza de la Independencia
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  • calcaf38
  • By calcaf38 on September 8, 2007
  • Quito Page by calcaf38
  • Colonial Quito - Quito
    by calcaf38, 3 more photos
    The Plaza de la Independencia is the heart of Quito, and that is where the Presidential Palace is (Palacio del Gobierno). This square is different from the others: there is some landscaping in the middle, and it is busier and faster paced. In other words, the Plaza de la Independencia is attractive but more urban and more modern feeling than the other great squares of Quito.

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    Colonial Quito: Plaza Santo Domingo
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  • elsadran
  • Updated By elsadran on May 19, 2008
  • Quito Page by elsadran
  • Colonial Quito - Quito
    by elsadran
    Historically the square used to be the gate to the city of that time and a point of everyday meeting. There are no trees or ornamental work on the square but the simple open space emphasizes the presence of the beautiful colonial buildings around and the attractive church with the same name. Great artists worked on the original decoration of the church but now little is left. The Museum of Fray Pedro Bedon on its left refers to religious art of 16th-17th centuries and contains sculptures of saints, furniture and ornamental items of that time. In front of the church in the square the statue of General Sucre reminds of the glorious battle of Pichincha pointing in the direction of the mountain where the famous victory took place.
    Cultural events, political demonstrations, concerts and festivals often fill up the square with both locals and tourists.
    I wish I could have a glimpse of it floodlit in the night but...

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    Colonial Quito: La Ronda
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  • elsadran
  • Updated By elsadran on May 19, 2008
  • Quito Page by elsadran
  • painted on the wall-La Ronda - Quito
    painted on the wall-La
    Ronda
    by elsadran,
    4 more photos
    Don't leave Quito without taking a morning walk along the recently renovated street, the most vivid representation of the city magnificent moments of old glorious cultural and romantic moments. Intellectuals, artists and celebrities of old Quito used to live or frequent the narrow street, which was the center of culture and echoed the romantic guitars of talented musicians.
    Its renovation was completed in 2006. Today white painted houses with blue windows and doors, beautifully flowered balconies and colourful portraits painted on the walls house nice cafes, galleries and workshops. They have regained their past appearance and the whole atmosphere has come alive. The name “La Ronda” is explained by the fact that it was the city limit at that time. It is Calle Morales, between Guayaquil and Garcia Moreno streets south of Plaza Grande. Walk in the pedestrianised street during daylight if you want to be cautious but, I suppose, at night time it would be even more beautiful.

    4 more photos..

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    Colonial Quito: Basilica de Voto Nacional
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  • elsadran
  • Updated By elsadran on May 18, 2008
  • Quito Page by elsadran
  • Basilica de Voto Nacional - Quito
    Basilica de Voto Nacional
    by elsadran,
    2 more photos
    The imposing Neo-gothic towers of the Basilica are predominant in every city view. As beautiful as it seems from afar, it seems exceedingly bulky and frighteningly tall when you come near. Made of cement the whole construction seems too heavy and too ornamented having a lot of elongated spires and pinnacles, turrets, arches and parapets. However its picture looks nice as it soars up against the blue sky. Its construction started in 1892 and it is still unfinished. The interior is impressive. There is a cafe on the third floor and stairs going up to the bell tower from where you can have amazing views from the top of the highest church in Ecuador as it's built at an altitude of 2885m. You can also walk inside the clock tower. There are some unusual gargoyles in the shape of endemic animals.
    On Sundays and Saturdays there are artesanias, displays of local paintings and children playing in the surrounding open space. If you come on foot you have to climb up the steep street and you are finally breathless if you have already been sightseeing. So you'd better start from here or use a taxi, unless you are very fit. It's on Venezuela Street.

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    Colonial Quito: La Basilica
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  • malianrob
  • Updated By malianrob on January 24, 2007
  • Quito Page by malianrob
  • Colonial Quito - Quito
    by malianrob, 4 more photos
    The Basilica is beautiful. To me, it was breathtaking. You can see the towers from far away but once you get a closer look, you can see the architecture, the gargoyles, the saints...everything. It still isnt completed. Like everything in Quito it takes forever to complete. The tale is that when the Basilica is completed, it will be the end of Quito.
    We walked all over the old/historical part of Qutio and I was exhausted. Getting to the Basilica took some stamina. It is on the high part of Quito and I hard to walk uphill for blocks to get there. It was on my second day in Qutio and I was still not aclimated. I really felt out of breath and out of shape!
    As soon as I got to the Basilica, it was all worth it.
    Its a kind of gothic architecture. alittle different from all the other architure in the historical area. From what I was told the building is made from stone. The stained glass windows are beautiful and at night they light up beautifully.

  • Directions: Northeast of the old town Open daily from 9am-5pm
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    Colonial Quito: The Cathedral
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  • elsadran
  • Updated By elsadran on May 18, 2008
  • Quito Page by elsadran
  • The Cathedral - Quito
    The Cathedral
    by elsadran
    The Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in South America. Originaly it had adobe walls and a thatched roof but in 1562 it was decided it deserved a better construction. It was completed in 1565, but work went on through the 17th and 18th century when the great dome was built. In the beginning of the 19th c. relligious scenes were painted inside. There is a great treasure of paintings and sculptures in it.
    It has plaques on the walls commemorating the the city founders. General Sucre is buried inside. There is also a plaque at the spot where, in 1875, the President Garcia Moreno died after being shot outside the presidential Palace. There has been another notorious murder in 1877 when the Archbishop of Quito was murdered by strychnine put in the Holy Wine. Open Mon-Sat 8-10am and 2-4pm

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    Colonial Quito: Plaza de la Independencia
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  • elsadran
  • By elsadran on May 18, 2008
  • Quito Page by elsadran
  • Plaza de la Independencia - Quito
    Plaza de la Independencia
    by elsadran
    It is the throbbing heart of Old Quito flooded with locals and tourists. Especially on weekends and days of festivities this is the center of action with a bustling crowd gathered. Walking, selling, resting, conversing or just hanging around they make it an interesting spot for the curious eye of a tourist. Covered with trees and benches it is a favourite meeting point of locals. The statue in the center is dedicated to the heroes who died for Ecuador's independence....It is also surrounded by the most important buildings of the city. The Cathedral to the South, the Presidential Palace to the north-west, the Neoclassical Archbishop's Palace to the North and the low simple white City Hall to the east.
    The white and apricot building to the north was the former upmarket Hotel Majestic now housing the City Planning offices.
    The place provides great opportunities for shots but keeping your camera out of your bag for a long time is an open invitation to thieves...It is here where an American woman approached me and said, “I've been watching you for some time and saw all the ..operating thieves of the square watching you, too! Put your camera in because I live here and I have already been robbed of 3 cameras and it's nothing you can do if they attack you”. I was a little surprised because there was a big crowd around as well as policemen patrolling and it was midday. I properly obeyed and realised that nothing can protect you if you become a target...

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    Colonial Quito: Walking tour of Colonial Quito/calle de 7 cruces
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  • malianrob
  • By malianrob on January 21, 2007
  • Quito Page by malianrob
  • Colonial Quito - Quito
    by malianrob, 2 more photos
    I always tell my friends you have to do a trip to old Quito during the day, then another trip at night. It is so beautiful. Dont miss the Calle de siete cruces. Street of the seven crosses (Garcia Moreno). On this street you will find a wooden cross in front of the hopice, in front of Carmen Alto, La Compania de Jesus, the Sagrado, the Cathedral, the concepcion, and Santa Barbara churches. We looked for these at night. They are lit up and they look beautiful.

  • Directions: Crossing the Plaza de la Independencia on the street of Garcia Moreno
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    Colonial Quito: Colonial Quito
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  • acemj
  • Updated By acemj on April 29, 2008
  • Quito Page by acemj
  • Colonial Quito - Quito
    by acemj,
    4 more photos
    The old part of Quito, called the centro historico, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978 and, while it was once a bit dangerous at night, things have improved greatly in recent years. The area is filled with restored Spanish Colonial buildings and will undoubtedly be where you spend a great deal of your time as a visitor to Quito. The main square is the Plaza de la Independencia, also known as the Plaza Grande, and this is a good place to start your tour of the Old Town, which can easily be seen on foot in 1-2 days.

    The pictures below highlight the area's sometime steep, charming streets, religious architecture and the dramatic location at the base of El Panecillo.

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    Colonial Quito: Museo de la Ciudad
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  • elsadran
  • Updated By elsadran on May 18, 2008
  • Quito Page by elsadran
  • on the right, another entrance to the museum - Quito
    on the right, another entrance
    to the museum
    by elsadran, 2 more photos
    The impressive displays offer a journey through the social history of Quito. Nicely displayed real objects, imaginative dioramas and man-size figures of local people in scenes of every day life or crucial historical moments offer an entertaining and dramatic way for the visitors to understand. The rooms are dated by centuries and together with the temporary exhibitions, a cafeteria, a historical Morgue, and a church with an impressive interior, occupy the two floor building which used to be the Hospital de la Misericordia y Caridad and later Hospital San Juan de Dios. It was founded in 1565 by order of the King of Spain. Several social events and conferences are held in the premises. The leafy courtyard is pleasant for a cup of coffee in the cafeteria of the museum and from the balcony you have a wonderful view of Quito and El Panecillo. I liked it a lot!
    If you like there are guides who can speak several languages. Open Tues-Sun 9.30-17.30 Entrance 2$ for adults, 1$ for students and elderly, 0.50$ for children of 6-12.

  • Other Contact: museociu@museociudadquito.gov.ec
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