A Walking Tour Of Quito's Architectural Landmarks

The capital city of Ecuador is quite unlike any other. Set high in the foothills of the Andes, Quito is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site with foundations dating back to the time of the Incas. Renowned for its architecture and rich history, as well as an historic district home to many of its key buildings, Quito has breathtaking views and is a fascinating place for those wishing to explore on foot. Here’s our guide to the city’s inspiring landmarks.

1. Calle Juan Rodríguez

Start in La Mariscal, the first neighborhood to break with the colonial model of architecture. La Mariscal was known as the suburbs for wealthy families moving north, and examples of these historic houses can be seen in Juan Rodríguez Street, a few blocks north from Plaza Foch, the party epicenter of the city. Keep walking towards the south, or the historic district.

Colonial architecture in Quito I © Cayambe/WikiCommons

Quito’s castillos

From Juan Rodríguez Street, walk a few blocks to check out the castillos, another of the city’s architectural landmarks – these brightly-painted castles with towers seem to be straight out of a fairytale, and stand in contrast to the buildings around them. Built in the 1930s as houses, they can be found on Juan León Mera, as well as Vicente Ramón Roca junction, Baquedano and the Avenida 6 de Diciembre. These Disney-esque creations are now home to a political party headquarters and a hotel, among others.

Keep walking towards the historic district to take in El Ejido and La Alameda parks – the calm green lungs of the city are markedly different from nearby buildings such as the Central Bank, which were designed to evoke modern structures in an attempt to break with the colonial mindset.

2. Basilica of the National Vow

Building

The best way to reach the Old Town is from the Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional (Basilica of the National Vow), one of the biggest basilicas in the Americas – the view from the towers is amazing, and the building is the gateway for the historic district of the Old Town.

Basilica of the National Vow I © Maros/WikiCommons

Old Town

Plaza del Teatro and Plaza San Francisco are must-visit areas, while walking down Calle García Moreno (‘The Street of the Seven Crosses‘) past the Presidential Palace allows visitors to absorb the unique atmosphere of the Old Town. If you have time, take in the Center for Contemporary Art and the City Museum.

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