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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. Leave a Comment
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 by elsadran
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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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.
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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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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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 The Cathedral by elsadran
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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 Plaza de la Independencia by elsadran
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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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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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. Leave a Comment
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 on the right, another entrance
to the museum by elsadran, 2 more photos
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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