My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. This November will be dedicated to an unusual country in the heart of South America, a country known for the best cocoa, bananas and coffee – Ecuador. At the very beginning of this series of travelogues, I would like to thank PRO ECUADOR, the tourism board of the city of Quito – Visit Quito, the Dutch national airline KLM, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, travelogues from Ecuador and fashion stories were created that you will have the opportunity to read this November and December, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.
If by any chance you missed reading the previous posts about the travelogue and fashion story from Ecuador or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following links:
- Letters from Ecuador: Quito, a City colored by the Art and Architecture of the Baroque… (Travelogue)
- Sannino Napoli: Discover True Italian Craftsmanship with Timeless and Unique Style… (Fashion Story)
During every trip, the hotel where we stay is very important to all of us, because the hotel is our home in the new destination and therefore it is very important to choose a good hotel in each destination. During my stay in the capital of Ecuador, my Hotel Patio Andaluz was my home, decorated with style, comfort and a beautiful atmosphere in the old heart of Quito.
Hotel Patio Andaluz is an elegant boutique hotel housed in a late 16th century colonial style house, a national monument whose walls hide centuries of history and art with exceptional architecture adorned with grand arches and interior courtyards filled with bright and colourful gardens. Because of all these unusual details, this hotel has charm and provides a pleasant atmosphere for all guests and visitors. The Rincon de Cantuna restaurant, inside its main courtyard, offers excellent options of Ecuadorian and international dishes.
Hotel Patio Andaluz has an exceptional location in the Colonial heart of Quito just 150 meters from the Main Square also known as Independence Square, a few minutes walk to San Francisco’s most famous church and square and a 5 minute walk to La Compania Church and its impressive golden interior and among other places of great importance in the colonial old part of Quito, such as museums, churches and numerous historical sites.
The hotel is spacious and in every lobby of the hotel there are living rooms and areas to relax, enjoy a drink and admire all the decorative pieces, plants and architectural details that give the hotel warmth and feel like you are at home. The Guayasamin reading room has a wide selection of literature and has a station for hot drinks, coffee and tea. This wonderful reading room is decorated with paintings by the famous Ecuadorian painter Osvaldo Guayasamino.
Make yourself at home in one of the 32 air-conditioned rooms featuring LED televisions. Free WiFi internet will keep you connected to family, friends and the world, and cable TV is available for your entertainment and learning about Ecuadorian culture and local daily life. All bathrooms have a shower and have all the necessary toiletries and a hair dryer.
I was accommodated in a Superior Premium room which has a view that is simply breathtaking as you can see the whole old part of Quito like in the palm of your hand. Located on the 4th floor, with a spectacular view of the historic center of Quito, it has a French king-sized bed measuring 2m x 2m, cable channels on a 32-inch LCD TV and air conditioning. In addition to air conditioning, the hotel also has portable heaters that can keep you warm during your stay if outside temperatures are lower than usual.
I would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Hotel Patio Andaluz for their warm welcome and hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, a unique experience that I will remember!
Today we continue with getting to know the capital of Ecuador and recommending which places you should visit during your stay in this charming pearl of South America, which is located in the very “middle of the world”.
Today’s acquaintance with Quito begins with the most famous cathedral in Quito, which I had the opportunity to see every morning from my room’s window – Basilica of the National Vow. This basilica is also known as the Basilica of the Consecration of Jesus or the Basilica of San Juan (after the part of the city in which it is located) or simply La Basilica. This basilica is a neo-Gothic religious building in the historic center of Quito. Due to its dimensions and style, it was considered the largest neo-Gothic temple in America. In addition to being the highest religious temple in Latin America until 2017, when the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was built in Manizales.
The Basilica of the National Vow arose from the idea to build a monument as an eternal memory of the consecration of the Republic of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, proposed by Father Julio Matovele, a representative of the Republic in 1883.
The project was contracted in France by the French architect Emilio Tarlier, who already had experience in similar constructions in Spain, France and England, who was inspired by the Paris Cathedral of Notre Dame, made plans between 1890 and 1896. President Luis Cordero Crespo issued a decree on the start of work on July 23, 1883, although in practice it was carried out during the time of President José María Placido Camaña, who ratified the decree on March 5, 1884.
The construction of the facility was originally planned in the El Belen sector, north of La Alameda Park, for which in 1884 the Convention provided for the purchase of land located in this area, but after preliminary studies it was determined that the soil was not suitable to build a facility of the desired size and that construction on that site would require extremely high costs. It was then decided to change the location of the building, suggesting the fifth part of the Hurtado family, located at the foot of the San Juan Hill, whose soil was strong enough to support the weight of this religious building.
During the construction of the basilica, donations were received from the faithful who gave money, participated in the construction or gave building materials in exchange for carving their names on the stone. In 1895, the state introduced a tax on the purchase of salt for the continuation of construction.
A few years later, in 1901, Father Matovele and his community of Oblate missionaries took over the construction at the request of Archbishop Pedro Rafael González Callisto, and officially on July 10, 1892, the first stone was laid. From 1892 to 1909, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Mary was built.
Although decorative details are still missing, it can be said that this religious building, as it is known today, was completed in 1924, when masses and bells on the towers began to be celebrated in the central part. Certain folk beliefs say that the day the basilica is finished, the end of the world will come or the Republic of Ecuador will disappear as a free and sovereign state.
The basilica was blessed by Pope John Paul II on January 30, 1985, although it was officially consecrated and inaugurated on July 12, 1988.
The Basilica of the National Vow is the most important work of Ecuadorian neo-Gothic architecture and one of the most representative on the American continent, and at the same time the largest religious building in the countries of the New World. Due to its structure and style, it is compared to two great cathedrals around the world: St. Patrick’s Cathedral (New York) and Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris).
The central part of the cathedral (nave) is 140 meters long, 35 meters wide and 30 meters high, in addition to the 74-meter height in the transept. The two front towers are each 115 meters high.
The cathedral has seven entrances, three on the facade and four on the side. A solid underground public crypt, with a kind of chapel of the same characteristics. It also has an elegant and national pantheon where the remains of several heads of state rest.
Located below the basilica, with access from the west side, there is the National Pantheon of the Heads of State of Ecuador, although not all of them are buried in this place, but only four:
- Andres F. Cordoba (1892-1983)
- Camilo Ponce Enriquez (1912-1976)
- Mariano Suarez Veintimila (1897-1980)
- Antonio Flores Gijon (1833-1915)
The construction of this pantheon is in accordance with the visit of Father Matovele to the Royal Crypt of the Monastery of El Escorial, where the remains of the kings, queens and babies of Spain rest, and was started five years after the temple, and completed by Father Rigoberto Correa.
The crypt consists of 50 French marble tombs for bodies and 150 for urns, all with tombstones with the gold shield of Ecuador. Since 2002, there has been a ceremony to ensure the eternal rest of the remains of heads of state in this place, unless the deceased or his heirs have an express will to bury it elsewhere.
After the Cathedral, my advice is to visit the Our Lady of the City of Quito, which you can see from absolutely every part of Quito – Our Lady of El Panesil. The protector of the city is also known as the Virgin of Whales because of the name of the sculpture she was inspired by. It is located at the top of the hill of El Panecillo, an unusual elevation in the shape of a small loaf of bread located in the heart of the city and serving as a backdrop to the historic center.
At 41 meters tall, if the base is added, it is the tallest statue in Ecuador and one of the tallest in South America, surpassing even the famous Christ the Redeemer in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is also the tallest aluminum sculpture on the planet.
When the statue of the Virgin was installed, the ancient hill of El Panecillo, which is traditionally associated with indigenous culture, took on Catholic religious connotations, which is why during the Christmas season a giant illuminated nativity scene is set up and a traditional Christmas novena is held.
As a tourist spot, the Virgin of El Panesillo has become one of the main tourist attractions of the city of Quito, where you can get a privileged 180-degree view from the observation deck. The photos at the foot of the monument are one of the most popular souvenirs that local and foreign tourists take with them.
The Ecuadorian film Behind (2011) used the iconography of the monument for its promotional posters, although it is represented by the bare back of a woman pretending to be a virgin with her back to the south of the city, where the action takes place. Interestingly, the film Proof of Life (2000), starring Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan, uses an aerial shot of this monument at the end of the film. Also, the t-shirts of the Ecuadorian company Macueno used the sculpture of the Virgin Mary in their design.
The view from the viewpoint is truly magnificent and this was truly an amazing experience for me.
In addition to many natural resources and an astonishing variety of fruits and vegetables, Ecuador is also known for the Avenue of Volcanoes – as many as 61 volcanoes are located in this country, 12 of which, with as many as six active ones, are in the capital.
Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in the Americas. It lies in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres and is divided by the Equator, after which it got its name. It borders Colombia and Peru, and on the West side it opens to the Pacific Ocean. Why is it considered that Quito is the pearl of South America in the middle of the world?
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (The City in the Middle of the World) is a land owned by the prefecture of the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. It is located about 26 km north of the center of Quito. The grounds contain the Equator Monument, which highlights the exact location of the Equator and commemorates the eighteenth-century Franco-Spanish surveying mission that determined its approximate location. It is also home to the Ethnographic Museum of Middle Earth, a museum about the ethnography of the indigenous people of Ecuador.
The 30-meter-tall monument was built between 1979 and 1982 by architect and contractor Alfredo Fabián Páez with Carlos Manchen as president of the Pichincha Provincial Council to replace an older, smaller monument built by the Government of Ecuador under the direction of geographer Luis Tufinho in 1936. The monument is made of iron and concrete and covered with hewn and polished andesite stone. The monument was erected in memory of the first geodetic mission of the French Academy of Sciences, led by Louis Godin, Pierre Bouguer and Charles Marie de La Condamine, who in 1736 conducted experiments to test the flattening of the poles and prove the shape of the Earth by comparing the distance between the meridians degrees in the equatorial zone with the second level measured in Sweden. The older monument was moved 7 km to a small town nearby called Kalakali.
The Intiñan Museum is located just outside of Quito, right next to the Mitad del Mundo monument. Most people know that the Mitada del Mundo equatorial line is a bit far. Intiñan has his marker and is closer to the right place.
In addition to the opportunity to make great photos, this museum also offers great fun with numerous experiments! This is a great place for travelers with children who want to learn something new. You can take a tour of this museum with a guide in Spanish or English and it is included in the ticket price.
Although there are only a few actual exhibits, this museum is really well done and organized. This museum focuses on the indigenous tribes of Ecuador, including the Shuar and Waorani. There are replicas of typical houses of some of the tribes… This museum also has an interesting farm of guinea pigs, which are one of the symbols of Ecuador. There is also a tomb where your guide will explain some of the rituals that come with death for the Tsáchila people.
The main attraction of the museum is the various scientific experiments that are a hands-on experience for those who visit the museum. Here you can find interesting interactive exhibits on how the Incas determined the center of the earth, plus numerous interesting science experiments such as balancing an egg on a fingernail and the effect of the Coriolis force on the earth.
You usually start your tour of the Intiñan Museum by visiting several huts that contain everything from shrunken heads to pottery. You will also find various types of flowers and plants that can be used for medicinal purposes and are also beautiful. There are depictions of everyday life as well as various works of art. The cultural exhibits only take about thirty minutes to see and are really just an introduction to the fun of actually doing the experiments.
The first experiment was to close your eyes and walk along the equator line. Strangely, almost all visitors found it difficult to keep their balance and walk in a straight line. The guide explained to us that this is because of the conflicting pulls from the northern and southern hemispheres that make you want to lean in one direction or the other. We then watched the water being poured into the sink in each of the hemispheres and although there are ways to make it spin the way you want, when nature is left to its own design, it spins in different directions. The same is true for hurricanes and typhoons where in the Northern Hemisphere things spin counterclockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere they spin clockwise. Water going down the drain does the same thing, counterclockwise north of the equator and clockwise south of the equator.
This was followed by another experiment that I’m not sure if it works or why it works, but our guide had us put his hands down until we were at the equator and some managed to get his hands down. We then moved to the equator line and he used one finger and was able to stop the visitors taking part in the experiment from pushing his hand down. For the end, they left the most interesting experiment balancing an egg on a nail on the equator line, which is not easy, but one visitor succeeded. All the experiments are more interesting and definitely not something you can do at home, unless you happen to live on the equator. 🙂
The visit to this museum was very interesting, I learned a lot of facts about the tribes that inhabit the part of Ecuador around the Amazon and it was a really pleasant experience and a fulfilling day. I definitely recommend making time to go to the Intiñan Museum if you are visiting Quito.
Now follows the most interesting part for all lovers of mountains and an incredible view of the heart of Ecuador. If you want unusual and great photos for social networks and to share with your family and friends an unforgettable experience from Quito, then the Teleferico or “TeleferiKo” is the ideal means of transportation for you.
The Teleferico is the famous cable car in Quito and it really needs to be on the list of every tourist visiting Quito. The lower station of the cable car is located on the northwest side of the city center of Quito. If you are arriving by Uber or taxi, be sure to ask to be dropped off at “Park Vulcano”. Vulcano Park is an amusement park, but your anyone who lives in Quito will understand that you want to go to the cable car and that this is the best way to get to the cable car and enjoy the magnificent view of the city and the amazing nature.
Once you arrive at Vulcano Park, it’s a short walk uphill and a few steps to get to the main Teleferico cable car station. This cable car is positioned high and is one of the highest in the world. The ride itself starts very high, because Quito is the second largest capital city in the world, which I explained to you in a previous travelogue. When you board the cable car, you start your ride at 3,117 meters and climb to less than 4,000 meters above sea level. The cable car trip to the top takes between 10 – 15 minutes and the view is incredible.
One small explanation for all visitors, it’s not a mountain you’re going to, it’s a volcano. The Pichincha volcano last erupted in 1999 and covered the city with several layers of ash, but did not cause serious damage. In fact, the Ecuadorian province that is home to Quito is named “Pichincha” after this volcano.
Once you’re up at the top, there are a number of vantage points depending on what part of the city you want to see. The guide explained to us that on a clear day, you can see a number of mountains in the distance, including the famous Cotopaxi. It wasn’t a particularly clear day during my visit, so I wasn’t able to see much outside the city limits. If you decide to explore the top of the hill there you can see some open space, the famous swing that is at the top where you can take great photos and some small restaurants, a bunch of picnic tables with people and some animals.
Of course, I found my favorite animals for which I came to South America and took one of the most beautiful pictures from this trip – with llamas. One photography tip, we all know that these animals have a habit of spitting when they are scared which is a normal reaction, but try to take pictures with female llamas as they don’t have a habit of spitting and are much calmer and love to take pictures. Males can be aggressive and spit, so it’s best to take photos with females and talk to him in a sweet, low tone so the animals don’t get nervous. You should always take care of your position and body language when approaching animals that don’t know you because you have to gain their trust in a short time so that the photo turns out to be a nice memory from the trip.
In addition to llamas, you have the opportunity to ride horses on certain trails and enjoy the view. Since the weather was quite windy and foggy, I didn’t ride this time even though I love horses and learned to ride horses as a child. If you decide to come here, check the weather forecast and try to find a period when the weather is sunny to be able to enjoy this adventure, purely for the better experience.
Of course, you can enjoy long walks here, just dress well because the weather here is changeable. The scenery is truly magnificent and I am sure you will enjoy the natural beauty outside the city limits.
In the next post I will write about other interesting cities in Ecuador. My dear travelers, we have come to the end of this second special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ecuador where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of PRO ECUADOR, the Tourism Board of the City of Quito – Visit Quito, the Hotel Patio Andaluz, as well as the airline company KLM in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Ecuadorian culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Ecuador.
A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.
It is an honour for me to have the opportunity to cooperate with many companies and businessmen in the tourism sector and I would like to thank the Tourism Board of Quito – Visit Quito for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual Ecuadorian culture in a completely different way.
How did you like this story of mine about Ecuador and the presentation of Kita, which adorns the heart of this unusual country in South America? Have you had the chance to visit Ecuador so far?
If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT ME page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!
In the following stories from Ecuador, we will discover some other interesting sights that you should visit if your journey leads you to this far away country!
Blogger greetings from Quito,
Mr. M
This post is sponsored by the Quito Tourism Board – Visit Quito, PRO ECUADOR, Hotel Patio Andaluz, the airline KLM and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.