QUITO
Visit one of the most colonial, beautiful and colorful cities in South America. Quito is rich in culture, history and tradition. It was the first city in the world to be named “Cultural Patrimony of Humanity” by the UNESCO due mainly to the outstanding mixture and beauty of its architecture (Renaissance, Baroque, Spanish, Flamenco, Moorish and Pre-Colombine) and because it is the symbol of culture in Ecuador.
Sebastian de Benalcazar founded Quito in 1534 and today is the political and administrative Capital of the Country. It is located at 2,800 mts (9,184 feet) above sea level and mountains and snow-capped peaks surround it. It has a population of over 1’600, 000 people.
Stroll through its historic center of town through its narrow streets such as La Ronda, with its colonial houses rich in history and color. These streets will also take you to its famous buildings and churches such as La Compaňia Church (1605) with its Baroque style made and sculpted out of volcanic rock, the San Francisco monastery (1535) one of the most important of Latin America, the National Palace, the Independence square, The Cathedral (1550), and the church of Santo Domingo. Discover the colonial art of its several museums, churches and cultural centers. A visit to Quito is not complete without going up to the Panecillo, a hill in the center of town that provides beautiful views of the city.
Together with its colonial beauty, Quito is a flourishing modern and commercial city. It has all the infrastructure of a modern Capital with important domestic and international hotel chains, countless restaurants offering excellent national and international gastronomy, as well as many bars, cafes, and malls. All of this with the classic hospitality of its inhabitants.
MIDDLE OF THE WORLD
A 30-minute drive north of Quito, we can find a place no visit to Quito should go without, the monument to the Middle of the World. Visit its great museum and stand over the Equator line standing with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern one.
The monument was created to commemorate the measurements taken by the French Geodesic Mission in the 18th Century.
