Did you ever wonder which is the most charming capital of all of America? Discover more about Quito, Ecuador's best kept secret.......
The capital of Ecuador has been one of the first cities to be nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, but in spite of that, in has not become a well-known tourist destination until quite recently. For those living in Quito in the the seventies, it would have been hard to believe that in a few decades, the city would become the most stunning capital of the continent with gorgeous old walks and beautifully restored monuments.
As Lima developed as the administrative center of the Southern colonies of the Hispanic crown, Quito became the epicenter of religion with dozens of churches and monasteries, many of which somehow made it through significant earthquakes. But times were hard on Ecuador and many buildings had fallen in disarray, but with the UNESCO nomination, all historical buildings became full protected and now most buildings have returned to their old glory albeit with new functions, like restaurants, inns, museums or private homes. The gorgeously redesigned plazas and connecting historical strolls, are heavily protected by police and visitors of all ages pass casually through this peaceable heaven of colonial history, little shops, gorgeous residences many of which having been transformed into cafs and posadas (inns). What makes Ecuador's capital Quito so special, is that it primarily frequented by its Ecuadorians. families play and picnic in the parks and the plazas. While there are tourists there numbers are not overpowering.
To fully enjoy Ecuador's capital, you need 2 days just to get to know its highlights, much more if you ware into the details. It would probably be a good idea to take a half day's city to get oriented, but then you should go explore the city on your own, stroll through the narrow walks, discover a few eating places, admire Quito at night when so many buildings are illuminated and enjoy the Quiteos who share there city with you. To them, old Quito or "Casco viejo" as Ecuadorians call old town, is a testimony to their history while uniting them with the pleasures of the 21st century.
Cars are banned from of the nicest streets and plazas, the colonial center can best be enjoyed on foot, as one hangs out on the different squares and visits the many monuments. All highlights are within walking distance and you can find many inexpensive little cafs everywhere when you feel tired.
There are more than 30 historical churches and chapels and it is impossible to name them all, but we like to at least mention the most graceful of all: The Compaia Church with its renaissance faade and courtyard. The interior is covered with gold and is rich in renaissance statutes and paintings; Many consider it the prettiest church of South America.
In 2008, Quito, the capital of Ecuador was highlighted in the travel section of the New York times, listing Quito as one of the 53 most interesting cities in the world for Americans to visit. Samantha Brown called Quito "Passport to Latin America" being the perfect place from where to initiate travel to discover the continent. Since then, Quito has been highlighted in television programs of CBN and NBC, while many other magazines and newspapers have dedicated center fold sections to this previously undervalued most stunning colonial capital of all the Americas.
Nowadays many tours to Latin America initiate in Ecuador, after which travelers continue to Peru and other destinations on the continent, as they can easily be reached from Ecuador's capital Quito.
The capital of Ecuador has been one of the first cities to be nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, but in spite of that, in has not become a well-known tourist destination until quite recently. For those living in Quito in the the seventies, it would have been hard to believe that in a few decades, the city would become the most stunning capital of the continent with gorgeous old walks and beautifully restored monuments.
As Lima developed as the administrative center of the Southern colonies of the Hispanic crown, Quito became the epicenter of religion with dozens of churches and monasteries, many of which somehow made it through significant earthquakes. But times were hard on Ecuador and many buildings had fallen in disarray, but with the UNESCO nomination, all historical buildings became full protected and now most buildings have returned to their old glory albeit with new functions, like restaurants, inns, museums or private homes. The gorgeously redesigned plazas and connecting historical strolls, are heavily protected by police and visitors of all ages pass casually through this peaceable heaven of colonial history, little shops, gorgeous residences many of which having been transformed into cafs and posadas (inns). What makes Ecuador's capital Quito so special, is that it primarily frequented by its Ecuadorians. families play and picnic in the parks and the plazas. While there are tourists there numbers are not overpowering.
To fully enjoy Ecuador's capital, you need 2 days just to get to know its highlights, much more if you ware into the details. It would probably be a good idea to take a half day's city to get oriented, but then you should go explore the city on your own, stroll through the narrow walks, discover a few eating places, admire Quito at night when so many buildings are illuminated and enjoy the Quiteos who share there city with you. To them, old Quito or "Casco viejo" as Ecuadorians call old town, is a testimony to their history while uniting them with the pleasures of the 21st century.
Cars are banned from of the nicest streets and plazas, the colonial center can best be enjoyed on foot, as one hangs out on the different squares and visits the many monuments. All highlights are within walking distance and you can find many inexpensive little cafs everywhere when you feel tired.
There are more than 30 historical churches and chapels and it is impossible to name them all, but we like to at least mention the most graceful of all: The Compaia Church with its renaissance faade and courtyard. The interior is covered with gold and is rich in renaissance statutes and paintings; Many consider it the prettiest church of South America.
In 2008, Quito, the capital of Ecuador was highlighted in the travel section of the New York times, listing Quito as one of the 53 most interesting cities in the world for Americans to visit. Samantha Brown called Quito "Passport to Latin America" being the perfect place from where to initiate travel to discover the continent. Since then, Quito has been highlighted in television programs of CBN and NBC, while many other magazines and newspapers have dedicated center fold sections to this previously undervalued most stunning colonial capital of all the Americas.
Nowadays many tours to Latin America initiate in Ecuador, after which travelers continue to Peru and other destinations on the continent, as they can easily be reached from Ecuador's capital Quito.
About the Author:
For almost 40 years, Wesly Vanderhill has lived in Ecuador's capital and he shares his knowledge and high resolution pictures about churches and monasteries and other stunning monuments of Ecuador
