- The cost of admission: $ 3;
- Address: Venezuela y Espejo 715, Quito Canton, Ecuador;
- Phone: +593 2-257-0371;
- Official website: catedraldequito.org.
The cathedral of Quito is the most important religious symbol of the Catholics of the country and an architectural monument of the colonial period. Together with the San Francisco monastery , museums, a garden and patios form the largest temple complex in South America.
History of the Cathedral
The Cathedral Metropolitan Cathedral is considered the oldest building in Ecuador . Its construction was started in 1534, just a month after the conquest of Ecuador by the Spaniards. Under construction, Catholics were given a large plot in the center of the city with the remains of a destroyed Inca palace. The high stone building of the cathedral was consecrated in 1572. During the following centuries the cathedral was rebuilt several times due to the destruction caused by natural disasters: the eruption of Pichincha volcano and earthquakes. In 1797, a powerful earthquake occurred in Quito, followed by a practical complete rebuilding of the cathedral.
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Architectural features of the cathedral
A large majestic building with white walls and a tiled roof is built in the style of the classic baroque. The cathedral is famous for its interiors with rich carvings and gilding, the creation of which was attended by the best Indian painter of the colonial era - Kaspikara. The combination of the Gothic arched arches, the baroque altar and the Moorish ceiling clearly show how the styles in the Indian-Spanish architecture have been whimsically mixed. The cathedral's domes are glazed with ceramic green tiles. On the facade, you can see commemorative plaques, one of which reads "The honor of the discovery of the Amazon belongs to Quito!" (It was from Quito in 1541 that the famous expedition of Orellana, the discoverer of the Amazon) set off. It is curious that in the old days unbaptized Indians had no right to visit the central part of the cathedral, so the temple was divided into two parts. Now this ban is no longer relevant, and any visitor can admire the interior decoration of the cathedral. The cathedral also serves as a burial vault for the famous Ecuadorians. Here lie the sons of the last Inca emperor, the national hero of Ecuador, General Sucre, the famous President Garcia and Moreno and other equally famous Ecuadorians. From the side of the square the cathedral is decorated with a longitudinal stone parapet. From the observation platform of the cathedral you will see a magnificent view of the center and the outskirts of Quito.
How to get there?
You can get to the Quito Cathedral by public transport, stop Plaza de la Independence (Plaza Grande).
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