Quito City in Ecuador

Quito was declared Cultural Patrimony of Mankind by the UNESCO in 1978.

Quito is the Capital city of Ecuador and it has amazing landscapes, surrounded by hills and several snowcapped mountains.

Quito is also known for its treasures of Spanish Colonial Churches, paintings, sculptures and carvings.

Quito city has grown to an area of over 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres), with a population estimated at about two million. The city has grown north and south, and climbed up the foothill of the mountain Pichincha, an inactive volcano west of the city.

Quito City (Downtown)

Quito altitude: is of 2,800 Mts above the sea level, but don't think it is a cold city in fact during the day is warm and sunny most of the year round, it gets a bit chilly at nights though. Quito's climate is around 53 to 70 F (13 to 20 C) during the day and 40 to 50 F (8 to 11 C) in the evenings.

The Incas later conquered this land and Quito became the northern capital of the Inca Empire.

When the Inca king Atahualpa was killed in Cajamarca and the Spanish Conquistadors advanced towards Quito, the city was evacuated and set on fire.

It was on the ashes of the Inca city that "Sebastián de Benalcázar" founded San Francisco de Quito, on top of the few ruins left him.

The founding date, December 6, 1534, is celebrated annually with the "Fiestas de Quito".

The celebration of the Spanish foundation of Quito city lasts more than a week, among parades with floats, dancing in the streets and people riding the roof of the chiva buses.

There's also the bullfight season (a tradition introduced by the Spanish), the election of the Queen of Quito and a number of cultural activities.

The world championship of "40", a card game played only in Ecuador, is an important part of the festivity.

The example is set by the novices of Monastery of San Francisco who come out and sweep the traditional San Francisco Square.

The central event during this celebration are the bullfights, with the participation of more Spanish "matadors" than local ones.

During the week of festivities the city of Quito lives a Spanish fiesta with flamenco dancers, manzanilla drinking, people wearing the typical Spanish hats to the bullfights, etc.

Afterwards, its inhabitants like to enjoy long lunches with the most famous delicacies of the Spanish cuisine to delight local and visitor palates.

Throughout the week, open sided buses called chivas, take groups of friends who climb to the roof to party, singing, dancing and drinking, accompanied by music bands.

Many chivas run along the streets of the city in this festive mood.

Quito city is a blessed spot cradled in the Andes at the foot of Pichincha Volcano.

It has the largest and one of the best preserved historical centers in South America, since the modern part of the city developed to the north, leaving the existing colonial treasures intact.

In the last two years, the city's government invested an important sum in renovations, which is showcased in the new brilliance of the historical core's buildings, which offer a myriad of classic architectural styles.

Tourist Places to Visit

• The Government Palace
• The Cathedral Church
• El Sagrario Church
• Royal Headquarters of Lima (A Cultural Center and Wax Museum)
• La Compañía Church
• San Francisco Church
• San Diego Convent
• San Agustin Church
• La Merced Church and Convent
• El Panecillo (small mountain to observe Ecuador Quito)
• Museum of Colonial Art
• City Museum
• Monument on the Equator (Middle of the world)

Ecuador Recommended Reading:

Insight Guide Ecuador
From the most popular resort cities to the most exotic villages, Insight Guides capture the unique character of each culture with an insider's perspective. A comprehensive Travel Tips section with listings of the best restaurants, hotels, and attractions, as well as practical information on getting around and advice for travel with children. (Highly recommended)

Subscribe to this Site