Quito, a treasure in the middle of the Andes.

In the Ecuadorian capital the roses are perfect, the music melancholic and the cuisine a tribute to traditions. Quito, a treasure in the middle of the Andes in South America, amazes with its famous historic center, full of churches, and surprises with one of the most vibrant creative scenes on the continent.

Quito Old Town Highlights

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First World Heritage Site

Quito is the first city declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO in 1978, and of course it has the historic center, which is considered the largest and best preserved in Latin America, the city is located in the middle of the Andes, ancient volcanoes, the ancient city makes us return to past times with its small streets and its beautiful churches.

It can be noted to this day, the deep miscegenation that exists there, an exquisite mix between indigenous natives, blacks and whites, the skin of the people who inhabit these lands shows an extensive range of colors; Due to all this “mixture” we find a unique and unrepeatable cultural value, full of traditions and customs, both ancestral and modern. We can spend hours and hours walking through those small streets that transport us to the past, where we find true treasures of art and architecture.

Quito has the largest and best preserved historic center in Latin America, it has 40 churches, 16 monasteries and convents and around 4,000 heritage buildings of various styles.

The Largest and Best Preserved Historical Center in America

To get to know at least part of Quito, a treasure in the middle of the Andes, we have to take time, because there are 17 plazas, 40 churches, 16 convents and monasteries and around 4,000 heritage buildings of the most varied styles, baroque, neoclassical, Neo-Gothic, Arabic, in short, an amalgamation as varied as its people. Without a doubt, the icon par excellence of Quito is the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the largest religious architectural complex in America, also called the Escorial of South America, the Franciscan convent has 13 cloisters, 2 chapels and the main church , and houses more than 3,500 works of art from the colonial era, where the well-known “Quiteña School of Arts” prevailed.

The Ecuadorian capital is nestled between elevations:

• North.- Huanacauri (Temple of the Moon) San Juan
• South.- Yavirak (Temple of the Sun) El Panecillo
• East.- Itchimbia (Condor's Nest)
• West.- Pichincha Mountain

Basilica of the National Vow in Quito, Ecuador

Towards the north side of the old city is the San Juan neighborhood, on a large “loma” or elevation, where the Basilica of the National Vow stands erect and portentous, the largest neo-Gothic temple in Ecuador, an immense religious structure built from end of the 19th century, it has been in construction for more than 100 years, and its construction has not been completed to this day; This church is the gateway to the historic center, from there García Moreno Street or Calle de las Siete Cruces begins.

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WALK THROUGH THE OLD CITY

The Plaza de la Independencia or Plaza Grande is the center of the city, and of course where the most important institutions with their respective buildings are located, to the west side is the Government Palace, to the south side the Primate Cathedral of Quito, to the east the modern building of the capital Municipality and on the north side the Archbishop's Palace, in the northwest corner of this we find the building of the old Magestic hotel, currently the Plaza Grande hotel, one of the most luxurious in the city. Quito is definitely a treasure in the middle of the Andes.

Walking through these picturesque streets, little by little you will reach “La Ronda” originally named Morales Street, it is the bohemian street of Quito. At the beginning of the 20th century this place was in its best splendor, it was the meeting point of writers, painters, musicians, poets. Now you can enjoy traditional Ecuadorian live music, craft shops, traditional food restaurants, throughout this street they will offer you a delicious drink, the famous canelazo, which is an infusion of cinnamon, naranjilla or blackberry and could not be missed. the sugar cane liquor locally known as “puntas” or “puro” ideal for keeping warm on the cold Quito nights.

The city is nestled between mountains, to the north San Juan, to the east Itchimbia, to the west the Pichincha and to the south the Panecillo whose ancestral name is Yavirak (hill) or Shungoloma (hill of the heart) on its summit is another of the icons of the city, the monument made of 7,400 pieces of aluminum with a height of 41 meters “The Virgin of Quito” has been placed there since 1975, it is inspired by a well-known sculpture found inside the church of San Francisco, made by Bernardo de Legarda in 1734, a sculpture of the immaculate virgin approximately 70 cm high.

Panecillo

On clear days, the best option to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and its surroundings is the Pichincha volcano, you can take the cable car from the base to the point known as Cruz Loma at 4100 meters above sea level and if you wish you can take a walk up to the summit of the mountain, without a doubt a wonderful experience.

MODERNITY IN THE CITY.

Going out to the north side of the Ecuadorian capital, we find fresh neighborhoods, far from the colonial era, that emerged at the beginning of the last century, in the middle of the republic, they have a lot of artistic and cultural movement. La Floresta is one of these modern neighborhoods, where filmmakers, artists, writers, painters coexist who have captured their best ideas on the walls of the neighborhood with beautiful murals and graffiti. If you want to enjoy an alternative movie accompanied by a glass of the best wine, your option is the independent cinema “Ochoymedio”

Very close to there is La Mariscal, another modern and fresh place, it is the heart of nightlife, the pink zone, where you can enjoy a night of fun and drinks with family and friends, there are bars, discos, clubs, lounges, restaurants, for all tastes and budgets. The epicenter of La Mariscal is Plaa Foch or Plaza de Quinde (hummingbird in Quichua) because there is a monument in the center of the plaza that alludes to this emblematic bird of the Andes.

It would be unforgivable to pass through Quito, a treasure in the middle of the Andes, without trying its exquisite gastronomy, nuanced by centuries of miscegenation, which is why we find the most varied dishes, with such varied ingredients, potatoes, corn in all their presentations, chicken, pork. , cow sheep. If you like adventure, in addition to visiting the most expensive and gourmet restaurants, you can take a leap and stroll through several of the city's markets, where you will find the flavor of the town, the purely traditional cuisine that has been passed down from generation to generation. since centuries; You have to try the hornado, the guinea pig, the great variety of ceviches, and although it sounds incredible, we recommend – at least – asking for the calavera broth.

SOUVENIRS TO CARRY

Here in Ecuador we call the famous handycrafts souvenirs; Of course the best memories will be your experiences in this city, but why not bring something to your friends or family? Something that reminds them of where you were and what you did there. In the city there are a huge number of craft stores, for all tastes and budgets; There is one place worth highlighting, however, where the artisans themselves sell their products, the artisan market, located in the La Mariscal neighborhood, where you can find a little bit of everything, straw hats, hand-embroidered tapestries, clothing, crafts. , chocolate, traditional liqueurs in the most creative packaging.

Without a doubt, an ancient as well as modern city, traditional as well as artistic, religious as well as liberal; a land full of contrasts and friendly people. When all this happens, come to the city, see its nooks and crannies, lose yourself in its art and transport yourself to the past living in the present.

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