Quito- A Heritage Capital in the Middle of the
World
Standing 9,350 feet above sea level might be
quite difficult for any single human not used to those altitudes. Ecuadorians,
however, seem untroubled with this kind of living conditions, especially in Quito. Founded in 1534, the capital of
Ecuador prides itself with one of the best preserved historic centers of the
Americas. Quito, along with Krakow, were the first World Cultural Heritage
Sites declared by UNESCO in 1978.
That’s why you shouldn’t miss the following
important tourist spots.
Carondelet Palace
Carondelet Palace (Spanish: Palacio de
Carondelet) is the seat of government of the Republic of Ecuador, located in
the historical center of Quito. The palace is in the nerve center of the public
space known as Independence Square or Plaza Grande (colonial name), around
which were built in addition the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, the
Hotel Plaza Grande and the Metropolitan Cathedral. During the Republican era,
almost all the presidents (constitutional, internees and dictators) have dispatched
from this building, which is the seat of Government of the Republic of Ecuador.
In addition to the administrative units in the third level of the Palace is the
presidential residence, a luxurious colonial-style apartment in which the
President and his family dwell. Rafael Correa, president since 2007, converted
the presidential compound into a museum accessible to all who wish to visit it.
Basilica del Voto Nacional
This monumental Basilica del Voto Nacional is
the most important neo-Gothic building in Ecuador and one of the most representatives
of the American continent. It was once the largest in the New World.
Cathedral of Quito
The Cathedral of Quito 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 (1545). The church building was completed in 1806, during the
administration of President of the Real Audiencia Baron Héctor de Carondelet.
One of the events that took place in this
cathedral was the murder of the Bishop of Quito, José Ignacio Checa y Barba,
who during the mass of Good Friday on 30 March 1877 was poisoned with
strychnine dissolved in the consecrated wine. The cathedral is also the burial
place of the remains of the Grand Marshal Antonio José de Sucre and also of
several presidents of the Republic, as well as of bishops and priests who died
in the diocese. The cathedral is located on the south side of the Plaza de La Independencia.
Church of La Compañía de Jesús
The construction of The Church of La Compañía started
in 1605; it took 160 years to be built. By 1765 the work was completed with the
construction of the façade, where the main used material was Andean volcanic stone. This was done by Native Americans who carefully
shaped the Baroque style in one of the most complete examples of this art in the
Americas.
Church of San Francisco
San Francisco is the largest of the existing
architectural ensembles in the historic centers of cities in Latin America. The
construction of the church began in 1550, on a land adjacent to the plaza where
the Native Americans engaged in the barter of products.
Church of El Sagrario
In colonial times, the Church of El Sagrario was
one of the largest architectural marvels of Quito. The construction is of the
Italian Renaissance style and it was built in the late 17th century. It has a
screen that supports its sculptures and decorations. This structure was built
by Bernardo de Legarda. Its central arch leads to a dome decorated with
frescoes of biblical scenes featuring archangels. It was done by Francisco Albán.
The altarpiece was gilded by Legarda. It is located on Calle García Moreno,
near the Cathedral.
Church of Santo Domingo
Although they arrived in Quito in 1541, in 1580
the Dominicans started to build their temple, using the plans and direction of
Francisco Becerra. The work was completed in the first half of the 17th
century. Inside the church are valuable structures, such as the neo-Gothic main
altar. This was placed in the late 19th century by Italian Dominicans. The roof
of the Mudéjar style church features paintings of martyrs of the Order of Saint
Dominic. The roof of the nave is composed of a pair and knuckle frame, coated
inside by pieces of tracery. In the museum located on the north side of the
lower cloister are wonderful pieces of great Quito sculptors such as the Saint
Dominic de Guzmán by Father Carlos, the Saint John of God by Caspicara, and the
Saint Thomas Aquinas by Legarda.
Another remarkable Baroque piece is the Chapel
of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, which is a recognizable feature of the
architecture of Quito. This chapel was built beside the church, in the Gospel
side. The largest fraternity in the city of Quito was founded inside of the
building.
The Historic Centre of Quito is located in the
center south of the capital on an area of 320 hectares (790 acres).There are about
130 monumental buildings (which host a variety of pictorial art and sculpture,
mostly religion inspired, in a multi-faceted range of schools and styles) and
5,000 properties registered in the municipal inventory of heritage properties.
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