Quito

I hired a private guide to take me on a tour of all of the monuments and these are some photos of Quito.

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador Quito and is the second most populous city.The elevation is about 9,200 ft, having the second highest airport and making Quito the second-highest administrative capital city in the world (after La Paz Bolivia) and the highest legal capital also in Bolivia, and Bogata Columbia – I have been to both. The town is Spread across a spectacular Andean valley and flanked by volcanic peaks, Quito’s setting alone is enough to strike you speechless it is truly awesome.

The central square of Quito is located about 1 mile from the ecuator. A monument and museum marking the general location of the Quito has one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved historic city centers and was the first to be declared World Heritage site by UNESCO on 18 September 1978. The Historic Centre of Quito is considered one of the most important historic areas in Latin America.

The  ‘old town,’ as it’s called – is a maze of colonial splendor, an Unesco World Heritage Site since 1978. Quito is currently flush with pride after 2006 marked the final installment of a massive restoration project that spruced up buildings and churches, brought historic theaters back to life and made the old town’s formerly sketchy streets safe to explore once again.

Quito Has about 130 monumental constructions (which hosts a variety of pictorial art and sculpture, mostly of religious inspired in a multi-faceted range of schools and styles) and five thousand properties registered in the municipal inventory of heritage properties. After some years of decline, everything has changed thanks to the program that the Corporation of Development of the Historic Center is pushing.  It has returned Quito to its glory of past years.

Walking through the historic centre of Quito today, now that it has been almost completely recovered, it has again become a pleasant experience. The Corporation of Development of the Historic Center, is responsible for the restoration and conservation of churches, streets and plazas of this place.  At night, when the lights turn on the city, one can stroll through downtown in a horse-drawn carriage.

Despite intensive restoration, the old town retains the vibrant working class and indigenous character that has always defined it. Walking its narrow streets is to wander into another world. Women carrying impossible loads, past legless guitar strummers, blind accordion players, old men in sailor suits selling ice cream, past giant roast pigs peaking out of doorways and shops selling every odd commodity imaginable. The constant white noise of hollering vendors hangs in the air like chanting in a monastery

The Basilica Del Voto Nacional Below

This monumental Basilica del Voto Nacional is the most important neo-Gothic architecture in Ecuador and one of the most representative of the American continent, which at the time is the largest in the New World. It is 350 feet high and consists of 24 internal chapels representing the provinces of Ecuador. This sanctuary was inaugurated and blessed by the Pope during his visit to Ecuador on 18 January 1985.

 

One detail that distinguishes the work is replacing the traditional gargoyles for reptiles and amphibians typical of the Ecuadorian fauna; also willing roses windows representing the flora of Ecuador. At the highest point of the main tower can see the city and surrounding mountains. The central nave of the church is 140 m of long, 35 meters of wide and 30 meters of high which are arranged 14 bronze images that represent 11 apostles and 3 evangelists.

The Metropolitan Cathedra below

The Metropolitan Cathedral, is one of the largest religious symbols of spiritual value for the Catholic community in the city. This church began its construction in 1562, seventeen years after the diocese of Quito was created. The church building was completed in 1806, during the administration of President of the Real Audiencia Baron Héctor de Carondelet.. The cathedral is located on the south side of the Plaza de Independence below 

 

El Panecillo, the Virgin Mary below

El Panecillo: A monument to the Virgin Mary is located on top of El Panecillo and is visible from most of the city of Quito. The figure stands on top of a globe, standing on top of a chained snake, symbolizing her triumph over evil. What is not so traditional, however, is her wings. The monument was inspired by the famous “Virgen de Quito” (Quito’s Madonna). This Madonna represents a turning point of the Quito Arts School because it shows a figure with great movement (practically dancing), which is in contrast to the traditional static Madonnas produced during the 18th century.

 

The Presidential  Palace below:

The Presidential Palace below and I Highly recommend this important cultural town and significant cultural sites and museums 

La Mariscal

La Mariscal Sucre in Quito has earned the nickname Gringo land because of its popularity with western tourists. While lacking in major tourist attractions, it is home to a number of clubs, bars and restaurants that cater to visitors. There are also many travel agents that specialize in western travel.  I stayed here in the Embassy Hotel.  Very very cool. I landed in Quito and stayed at the Embassy hotel in Marascal also known as “Gringo Land”. It is located in north-central Quito and Quito is the second most populous city. Being about 20 miles long and 3 miles wide

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador and is the second most populous city. The elevation is about 9,200 ft, having the second highest airport and making Quito the second-highest administrative capital city in the world (after La Paz Bolivia and the highest legal capital also in Bolivia, and Bogotá Columbia – I have been to both. The town is Spread across a spectacular Andean valley and flanked by volcanic peaks, Quito’s setting alone is enough to strike you speechless it is truly awesome. The central square of Quito is located about 1 mile from the equator. A monument and museum marking the general location of the Quito has one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved historic city centers and was the first to be declared World Heritage site by UNESCO on 18 September 1978. The Historic Centre of Quito is considered one of the most important historic areas in Latin America.

For us we got to party with the best in GRINGO LAND in all you could eat and drink establishments for likes of  25 dollars.  I also stayed in the Hilton Colon and it was awesome as well.  In addition, they had many of the home favorites like great coffee shops. So after settling in at the Embassy hotel with a good bottle of wine and good grub, the next day we toured the Historic center of Quito, a UNESCO world heritage site. We happened to cross the equator like four times. The  ‘old town,’ as it’s called – is a maze of colonial splendor with old historic buildings below 

 

and 2006 marked the final installment of a massive restoration project that spruced up buildings and churches, brought historic theaters back to life and made the old town’s formerly sketchy streets safe to explore once again. The old town retains the vibrant working class and indigenous character that has always defined it.

Walking its narrow streets is to wander into another world. Women carrying impossible loads, past legless guitar strummers, blind accordion players, old men in sailor suits selling ice cream, past giant roast pigs peaking out of doorways and shops selling every odd commodity imaginable. The constant white noise of hollering vendors hangs in the air like chanting in a monastery various shots of the parks and so on below

 

In 2012 we went down again with friends and again in 2021-22

Quito, Ecuador and Cotopoxi December 2011 and 2012 with 6

Six of us: two friends Charlie, and Marie and two nephews; David and Oliver Goodwin and Arden and I traveled to Quito, Ecuador and then onward to attempt the summit of Cotpoxi below

We climbed with High Summits and they are simply the best.  I made ti the very very last ridge above the dark black cliffs near the top in the center.  High Summits is a very favorable and reliable firm specializing in Mountain climbing, hiking and travel in Ecuador.