Have you ever wondered which is the most amazing capital of Latin America? Find out more about Quito, Ecuador's best kept secret.......
One of the world's first cities to become a UNESCO World Heritage site, Quito, the capital of Ecuador has been flying under the travelers' radar for a long time. When we lived in Quito in the 1970s, we could never imagine that one day we would walk through Latin America's most splendid capital with all the historical streets and monuments being wonderfully restored, peaceful and safe.
In the colonial days, Lima became the center of power of Spanish colonies in South America and Quito developed into the center of religion with churches and monasteries of many Catholic ordinations competing for followers in numerous churches and monasteries. Most of them survived various powerful earthquakes, but by the second half of last century, many historical buildings were dilapidated. No doubt, the UNESCO denomination as World Heritage Site had contributed to the fact that all colonial structures became legally protected and owners could only make changes to their building under strict restoration codes. Now most houses have been returned to their old glory, although many serving new functions, like restaurants, offices and hotels. Rich in resplendent plazas linked by narrow alleys, are permanently patrolled by police. Visitors can enjoy the colonial settings in a carefree environment without much worry about pickpockets and other petty crime. More than any other historical town in the continent, Quito, the capital of Ecuador most and for all is frequented by Quiteos, who visit the town in little groups of families and/or friends. Tourists are present, but by far outnumbered by Ecuadorians who go about their business as though the own the place, and of course they do.
Whenever you go to Ecuador, please do yourself a favor and take at least 2 days to fall in love with this beautifully restored city. If you like, you can take a half day's guided tour but after that, go out on your own, walk through the narrow streets, sample the restaurants, explore wonderfully illuminated the capital of Ecuador at night and mingle with the friendly Ecuadorians. They regard the colonial center of Ecuador's capital Quito or "Casco viejo" as the Quiteos call their old town, as their cultural heritage, the place that unites their rich history with the pleasures of twenty-first century.
With many pedestrians-only streets, the colonial center should be enjoyed, strolling from plaza to plaza and cathedral to monastery. Distances are short and there is a great selection of cheap little eating places where you can rest when you feel tired.
With so many lovely old churches one can't name them all, but one really stands out: The Compania Church is the most beautiful and oldest colonial monument of the capital of Ecuador. The interior of the church is covered with real gold and is full of statutes and late medieval paintings. Arguably, it the could be considered the most picturesque church of the Americas.
In 2008, Quito, the capital of Ecuador was highlighted in the travel section of the New York times, listing Ecuador's capital 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 Latin America. 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 beautiful colonial capital of all the Americas.
In fact, the most impressive destinations in the continent starts with Ecuador, followed by Peru and the other Southern destinations, that can all conveniently be reached from Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
One of the world's first cities to become a UNESCO World Heritage site, Quito, the capital of Ecuador has been flying under the travelers' radar for a long time. When we lived in Quito in the 1970s, we could never imagine that one day we would walk through Latin America's most splendid capital with all the historical streets and monuments being wonderfully restored, peaceful and safe.
In the colonial days, Lima became the center of power of Spanish colonies in South America and Quito developed into the center of religion with churches and monasteries of many Catholic ordinations competing for followers in numerous churches and monasteries. Most of them survived various powerful earthquakes, but by the second half of last century, many historical buildings were dilapidated. No doubt, the UNESCO denomination as World Heritage Site had contributed to the fact that all colonial structures became legally protected and owners could only make changes to their building under strict restoration codes. Now most houses have been returned to their old glory, although many serving new functions, like restaurants, offices and hotels. Rich in resplendent plazas linked by narrow alleys, are permanently patrolled by police. Visitors can enjoy the colonial settings in a carefree environment without much worry about pickpockets and other petty crime. More than any other historical town in the continent, Quito, the capital of Ecuador most and for all is frequented by Quiteos, who visit the town in little groups of families and/or friends. Tourists are present, but by far outnumbered by Ecuadorians who go about their business as though the own the place, and of course they do.
Whenever you go to Ecuador, please do yourself a favor and take at least 2 days to fall in love with this beautifully restored city. If you like, you can take a half day's guided tour but after that, go out on your own, walk through the narrow streets, sample the restaurants, explore wonderfully illuminated the capital of Ecuador at night and mingle with the friendly Ecuadorians. They regard the colonial center of Ecuador's capital Quito or "Casco viejo" as the Quiteos call their old town, as their cultural heritage, the place that unites their rich history with the pleasures of twenty-first century.
With many pedestrians-only streets, the colonial center should be enjoyed, strolling from plaza to plaza and cathedral to monastery. Distances are short and there is a great selection of cheap little eating places where you can rest when you feel tired.
With so many lovely old churches one can't name them all, but one really stands out: The Compania Church is the most beautiful and oldest colonial monument of the capital of Ecuador. The interior of the church is covered with real gold and is full of statutes and late medieval paintings. Arguably, it the could be considered the most picturesque church of the Americas.
In 2008, Quito, the capital of Ecuador was highlighted in the travel section of the New York times, listing Ecuador's capital 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 Latin America. 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 beautiful colonial capital of all the Americas.
In fact, the most impressive destinations in the continent starts with Ecuador, followed by Peru and the other Southern destinations, that can all conveniently be reached from Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
About the Author:
For more than 3 decades, Wesly Vanderhill has lived in Quito, capital of Ecuador and he shares his knowledge and high resolution pictures about churches and monasteries and other delightful monuments of Ecuador
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