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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Ecuador >> Quito, Ecuador (January 2008) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Quito, Ecuador (January 2008)

Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil, and it is the capital of Ecuador. The "centro histórico" or "Old Town," as it is called, was designated as the first UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site in 1978. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least-altered historic center in Latin America. Modern Quito is a city of two halves, Old and New. The Old City remains much the same as it did at the end of the colonial period, but the New City bears no resemblance to its colonial past. The historic sites of Quito's Old Town are a “must see” as are its Spanish and Inca influences and the myriad of museums, shops, cafes, and restaurants. If you haven't seen Quito, then you haven't seen Ecuador!
Quito, Ecuador cover page.
Quito, Ecuador cover page.		 Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Quito.
Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Quito.		 Plaza de la Independencia, or Plaza Grande, in Quito is flanked by the Presidential Palace where the president of Ecuador lives.
Plaza de la Independencia, or Plaza Grande, in Quito is flanked by the Presidential Palace where the president of Ecuador lives.		 The Presidential Palace was rebuilt in the 19th century (the original was installed in 1612).
The Presidential Palace was rebuilt in the 19th century (the original was installed in 1612).
View of the large Inca stone blocks, which were used at the base of the Presidential Palace.
View of the large Inca stone blocks, which were used at the base of the Presidential Palace.		 The Plaza Grande Hotel overlooking Plaza de la Independencia in Quito. It was Quito's first 5-star hotel.
The Plaza Grande Hotel overlooking Plaza de la Independencia in Quito. It was Quito's first 5-star hotel.		 Pedestrians sitting on park benches in Plaza Grande with Metropolitan Cathedral in the background.
Pedestrians sitting on park benches in Plaza Grande with Metropolitan Cathedral in the background.		 The fountain with pedestrians passing time in Plaza de la Independencia.
The fountain with pedestrians passing time in Plaza de la Independencia.
View of Plaza Grande with the liberty monument in the background.
View of Plaza Grande with the liberty monument in the background.		 This bronze and marble liberty monument was installed in 1908. It represents Ecuador's independence from Spain.
This bronze and marble liberty monument was installed in 1908. It represents Ecuador's independence from Spain.		 This is one of 3 statues of liberty in the world, the other two being in New York and Mexico City.
This is one of 3 statues of liberty in the world, the other two being in New York and Mexico City.		 Below the statue is a sculpture of a lion wounded by an arrow. A condor with unfolded wings carries broken chains in its claws.
Below the statue is a sculpture of a lion wounded by an arrow. A condor with unfolded wings carries broken chains in its claws.
The lion represents the conflict between the Spanish and the Ecuadorian people.
The lion represents the conflict between the Spanish and the Ecuadorian people.		 Façade of the awe-inspiring Metropolitan Cathedral. Work began on it between 1550 and 1560.
Façade of the awe-inspiring Metropolitan Cathedral. Work began on it between 1550 and 1560.		 Close-up of the steeple. The cathedral is known for its numerous architectural styles that blend so well together.
Close-up of the steeple. The cathedral is known for its numerous architectural styles that blend so well together.		 Side view of the steeple of Metropolitan Cathedral from Garcia Moreno Street in Quito.
Side view of the steeple of Metropolitan Cathedral from Garcia Moreno Street in Quito.
View of the arched colonnade of the Archbishop's Palace in Plaza de la Independencia.
View of the arched colonnade of the Archbishop's Palace in Plaza de la Independencia.		 You can get a shoeshine at the Archbishop's Palace before exploring its myriad of its shops, galleries and restaurants.
You can get a shoeshine at the Archbishop's Palace before exploring its myriad of its shops, galleries and restaurants.		 Façade of Cultural Centre of Quito, which is dedicated to colonial art and history.
Façade of Cultural Centre of Quito, which is dedicated to colonial art and history.		 Interior of the Church of El Sagrario in Quito with its golden carved alter in the background.
Interior of the Church of El Sagrario in Quito with its golden carved alter in the background.
Domed skylight in the Church of El Sagrario with light shining in. The gold used in this church symbolizes the sun.
Domed skylight in the Church of El Sagrario with light shining in. The gold used in this church symbolizes the sun.		 Close-up of the domed skylight.
Close-up of the domed skylight.		 One side of the golden carved door in the Church of El Sagrario is Spanish and the other side of it is Indian.
One side of the golden carved door in the Church of El Sagrario is Spanish and the other side of it is Indian.		 Façade of La Compañía de Jesús Church. It is one of the Baroque masterpieces of South America. Note the Solomonic columns.
Façade of La Compañía de Jesús Church. It is one of the Baroque masterpieces of South America. Note the Solomonic columns.
The Solomonic columns are symbolic of the Catholic doctrine of life's journey, which starts at the bottom and ends in heaven.
The Solomonic columns are symbolic of the Catholic doctrine of life's journey, which starts at the bottom and ends in heaven.		 Interior of La Compañía Church (these interior photos were scanned from postcards since photos were forbidden).
Interior of La Compañía Church (these interior photos were scanned from postcards since photos were forbidden).		 Ceiling depicted with Inca sun symbol. The Spanish thought more people would attend because of the indigenous symbols.
Ceiling depicted with Inca sun symbol. The Spanish thought more people would attend because of the indigenous symbols.		 Natural sunlight from the transepts dome gives an angelic brilliance to La Compañía de Jesús Church.
Natural sunlight from the transepts dome gives an angelic brilliance to La Compañía de Jesús Church.
Façade of the Central Bank of Ecuador, which is now a museum where they keep the currency.
Façade of the Central Bank of Ecuador, which is now a museum where they keep the currency.		 View of San Francisco Plaza with San Francisco Church in the background (the most imposing of Quito's architectural monuments).
View of San Francisco Plaza with San Francisco Church in the background (the most imposing of Quito's architectural monuments).		 The interior of the church is being restored because the ceiling fell down (in 2007) due to an earthquake.
The interior of the church is being restored because the ceiling fell down (in 2007) due to an earthquake.		 Fountain with pigeons in front of the San Francisco Church.
Fountain with pigeons in front of the San Francisco Church.
View of San Francisco Plaza from San Francisco Church.
View of San Francisco Plaza from San Francisco Church.		 The Church rises above the stone paved plaza, creating a noble effect that Ernesto La Orden called the Escorial of the Andes.
The Church rises above the stone paved plaza, creating a noble effect that Ernesto La Orden called the "Escorial of the Andes".		 View from San Francisco Plaza looking up at El Panecillo (the Virgin of Quito monument).
View from San Francisco Plaza looking up at El Panecillo (the Virgin of Quito monument).		 View of El Panecillo with a telephoto lens. It is on a hill 3,000 meters above Quito.
View of El Panecillo with a telephoto lens. It is on a hill 3,000 meters above Quito.
Close-up of El Panecillo. The Spanish artist Agustín of the Herrán Matorras made this aluminum monument in 1976.
Close-up of El Panecillo. The Spanish artist Agustín of the Herrán Matorras made this aluminum monument in 1976.		 A rainy night photo of Plaza Grande with the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral steeple in the background.
A rainy night photo of Plaza Grande with the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral steeple in the background.		 Close-up at night of the Metropolitan Cathedral steeple.
Close-up at night of the Metropolitan Cathedral steeple.		 The Plaza Grande Hotel with evening lights shining off of the wet pavement.
The Plaza Grande Hotel with evening lights shining off of the wet pavement.
The Presidential Palace seen at night from Plaza de la Independencia.
The Presidential Palace seen at night from Plaza de la Independencia.		 Side view of the arched colonnade of the Archbishop's Palace at night.
Side view of the arched colonnade of the Archbishop's Palace at night.		 Evening lights reflecting from the Archbishop's Palace.
Evening lights reflecting from the Archbishop's Palace.		 Night view of the façade of Metropolitan Cathedral.
Night view of the façade of Metropolitan Cathedral.
Façade of Metropolitan Cathedral with a fountain illuminated the foreground.
Façade of Metropolitan Cathedral with a fountain illuminated the foreground.

comment | share
RAQUEL 26-Feb-2011 05:09
Nice pictures ;) I feel transported to the places
Guest 06-Mar-2010 08:25
very nice gallery, reminds me at my time there... thanks for sharing
Guest 23-Feb-2008 00:21
Hi, thanks for the photo journey!! incredible photos, I feel like I have almost been there. Keep'em coming!!
Rog
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