Cultural Tourism in Quito

A 22 kilometers (km) of the Equator, sits the historic center of Quito with a longer history than their own buildings. Within the Metropolitan District, cultural tourism is mainly focused in this area and the City Center of the World, where lies a monument in honor of the French Geodesic Mission Ecuador appointed as half of the world. Incredible Tours will take you to these meetings with the history of the city.
Historical Center
Every day of the year is possible cultural tours in the Historic Center in the morning, afternoon and late at night, where a ride in a carriage accompanied by horses will take you through the narrow streets of the old colonial that will describe through their facades and temples a story frozen in time.
With great luck, for the XXI century, Quito colonial part remained intact, despite the inevitable effects of urban development. Really be shocked to discover that the colonial houses are still inhabited, so the large influx of business and premises in the Centre, its history is a living history, where nothing has been abandoned.
As Quito a city surrounded by mountains, glaciers and mountains, in the colonial town there are places you should not miss to appreciate the panorama that surrounds the city.
Churches and Convents
The greatest wealth of the historic center is within their temples and monasteries, living specimens of the Spanish culture with the indigenous syncretized. Here is a brief overview of each:
Basilica del Voto Nacional It is considered one of the most important neo-Gothic architecture in Ecuador. Is at the heart of the city, the streets Carchi and Venezuela, next to the Convent of the Oblate Fathers.
It was built to commemorate the consecration of the Ecuadorian state to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, during the presidency of Gabriel García Moreno in 1873. It has 115 meters (mts.) high and consists of 24 chapels representing internal provinces. This shrine was inaugurated and blessed by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Ecuador on 18 January 1985.
The structure and style of the Church is compared with two of the great cathedrals of the world: the Basilica of San Patricio, located in New York and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris. The detail that distinguishes it is the replacement of traditional gargoyles themselves by reptiles and amphibians of Ecuador.
The central nave of the church is 140 meters long, 35 wide and 30 meters high which are arranged 14 bronze images that represent 11 and 3 apostles, evangelists.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 to 9:00 / 18:00 to 19:00 Sat and Sun 6:00 to 18:30 Mirador open every day from 9:30 to 17:30 Costs: Foreign: $ 2.00 domestic $ 1.00, children and seniors $ 0.50 Religious Services: Masses: Mon-Fri 07:00, 08:00 and 18:30 07:00 and 10:00 Sat / Sun 07:00 to 12:00
Middle of the World City
The Honorable Provincial Council of Pichincha (HCPP) began in 1979 the construction of the current monument 30 meters high, to highlight the importance of the work of the First Geodesic Mission. Next to this block, was built the tourist village “Ciudad Mitad del Mundo”, using classic colonial architectural lines: the main square, church and town hall. Surrounding these buildings is a plaza de toros, several craft stores, restaurants, cafes, post offices and telephone. It is located 13 kilometers north of Quito. It is also very close to the equator, which is located just in front on Mount Catequilla. More information about Equator can be found in the Solar Museum, where scientists conduct studies on archaeological sites in the north-west of Quito. A philatelic museum, an Insectarium, Planetarium and a model of the historic center of Quito and Guayaquil.
Hours Mon-Thu 9:00 to 18:00 Fri, Sat and Sun 9:00 to 19:00 Costs Admission: adults $ 0.50, children, disabled and elderly $ 0.25 Parking: $ 1.00