TravelStream™ news feed for member ericastromattas on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/ericastromattas en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:34:28 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/25/1207621980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/25/1207621980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/25/1207621980/tpod.html Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:34:28 -0400 Hotel Quito Patio Andaluz history

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Quito, Ecuador

Hotel Patio AndaluzQuitowas part of the ancestral site of the city of San Francisco de Quito at its foundation. It is located in the parish of Santa Barbara, the most antique one, according to Padre Juan de Velasco's narrations. By the end of the 16th century it belonged to Marquis Juan Sanchez de Jerez an activist during the ‘Alcabala' revolution. His successors, the Freire de Bohorquez family is mentioned in the narrations of the family of the Marquis of Selvalegre, Don Juan Pio Montufar. The heritage of 1689 was a fundamental step for its stability, determining that the building could not be sold. Nevertheless due to some political and economic influence the merchant Jeronimo Urbasus managed to separate the house from the yard and own it until 1730. Half a century later, the house belonged to the Donoso Bosmediano family, which had a very active role during the independence war. Already in the republican era, it passed on to Don Miguel Grijalva, who sold it in 1850 to Pacifico Chiriboga Borja, a distinguished politician from another historical city – Riobamba – who held the position of the Minister of State and was member of the triumvirate - the government held jointly by Gabriel Garcia Moreno and Jeronimo Carrion from 1859 to 1861. When he died in 1866, the house was inherited by his daughter Mercedes, married to Colonel Timoleon Tiburco Flores Jijon son of General Juan Jose Flores., The house was frequently visited by his brother, President Antonio Flores during his legislation period between 1888 and 1892. From the third generation on and since 1923 the house was inherited by the brothers Flores Chiriboga, who sold the house to the national association of workers in July of 1924. The association held the house for a long time under the leadership of its president the well known sociologist, educator and politician Dr Leonidas Garcia who had his office in the house. The historian Emilio Uzcategui mentions the office several times in his memoirs. Since then the house had many functions, The Yard Casino Andaluz, the Billiard Club, offices and residences of Quito citizens and immigrants from the provinces….until the idea of the enterprise of the historical center became reality converting it into what nowadays is part of the hotel chain Colonial Cialcotel promoted and managed by BScEng Jose Luis Alvarez Burbano de Lara in the year 2003. Apart from its rich history and all its traditions, there are the families: Larrea Jijon, Camano and Freile. The nobles from the initial founding era hold off their social acts at the *house with the Spanish yard* as they called it and they also used it as a model for several other constructions at other places given its ample space and elegance… Using the plans of the house of Patio Andaluz the houses of the Marquis of Villacis and Villaverde were constructed, being evidence of the importance this magnificent construction once had and still has nowadays. "Ancestral seat, animated, discrete and elegant" as Don Manuel Jijon y Barba mentions his transient residence in Quito in his letters to Paris. "Beautiful, charming and unpredictable… in this house the most important events took place, the less expected in the most casual way…as Don Cristobal Bonifaz y Jijon…*benefactor of the Charles Darwin Foundation in favor of the enchanted islands* mentions it in his cards written at his short stay as a guest of the house.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/24/1207254420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/24/1207254420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/24/1207254420/tpod.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:34:14 -0400 Quito Museums review

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Quito, Ecuador

Quito Museums Quito’s museums show us the great cultural richness, which made out of Quito one of the Humanity Patrimony declared. We can find different issues: religious and colonial art represented in paintings, sculptures; aborigines and Inca’s archeology pieces; art expositions from the modern and ethnic Republic, which represent the when Quitos identity and beauty. Alberto Mena Caamaño It is located in the old building where the Real Audience Quarter of Quito and the Central University of Ecuador worked. Nowadays it’s the Metropolitan Cultural Centre. Is has a great collection of figures made in wax, which represent the most important characters our History: from de Revolution from 1809; the French Geodesic work, for example the Ecuadorian scientific Pedro Vicente Maldonado; the daily life from the university students that time, the Jesuits expulsion, the written from the Historia del Reino de Quito by the Father Juan de Velasco, and another big happenings. Numismático (Numismatic) It is located in the old building from the Central Bank of Ecuador. It shows a big collection of coins and instruments used before for the commercial exchanged since the aborigine time, the Colony and the Republic. The last national coin used was the Sucre. This museum has a complete collection from the different Sucres used in the Republic. The Sucre was used for more than a whole century. Casa-Museo María Augusta Urrutia (María Augusta Urrutia’s House-Museum) This museum is in the house which belonged to the distinguished lady from Quito, María Augusta Urrutia, who dedicated her life to beneficence. She owned an important cultural patrimony: paintings, antique furniture, sculptures and other thing from her time. This reveled a big connection with Europe, something very common in the rich families from Quito at that time.   Fray Pedro Gosseal It is inside an important religious building belonged to the Franciscans. It was created in 1924 in celebration of the 100 years of the Independency of the Republic. It has got one of the most important samples of religious art in the whole continent, during the 16th, 17th and18th centuries. The pieces which we can underline are sculptures, paintings, high relief, etc, in rooms dedicated to great artists from the Colony, such as Bernardo de Legarda, Miguel de Santiago, Bernardo Rodríguez, Samaniego, and others. The coffer from the retable of Saint Catalina, Saitn Lucía and Saint Bárbara; the Seven paintings by Pedro Rey de Portugal; the Inmaculada by the Bernardo de Legarda are examples from the most important art pieces that time, inside Fray Pedro Gosseal museum. Museo de la Ciudad (Museum from the City) It is in the old Hospital San Juan de Dios, one of the first civil works built in America in the 16th century. We can fin there one beautiful chapel, which façade is made in stone. It is from the Colony time. There are also big cloisters and rooms. This museum has inside and extraordinary sample of the daily life in Quito, since its origins until our time. Museo Nacional de Historia de la Medicina Eduardo Estrella (Nacional Museum from the Medicine’s history Eduardo Estrella) It was founded in 1982 by Dr. Eduardo Estrella. Thanks this museum we can know the Ecuadorian medicine’s history during 6000 years of practice. This sample allows us to know the curative value that some endemic plants have. It’s important to mention the list of the most common illness from that time, the vertical childbirth, the history of the Mercy’s Hospital, founded in 1565. After this its name changed in 1703 as San Juan de Dios. It received the help from the French doctors Gayraud and Domec, paid by President García Moreno in 1873, for making professional surgical practices in Quito. The museum shows microscopes, anesthesia masks, stove, scalpels of fixed knife, odontology tools and pliers that were used to put into the mouth to pick out the amygdales. Casa de Sucre (Sucre’s house) This museum is in a beautiful house which was constructed in 1812, in the antique mansion from the marquises from Solanda, relatives from the Mariscal Antonio Jose de Sucre’s wife. Later, this house belonged to the Mariscal Antonio Jose de Sucre, one of the most important characters of the Independence time in Ecuador. There are many pictures exposed in this house. There are also guns, antique furniture, historic documents, cavalry’s harness, and other things related with Sucre. Inside there is a doorway with a floor made in bones and river stones. There are rooms and two-floored galleries around the central garden. This garden has columns from stone downstairs, and with wood upstairs with iron banister. It was also known as the Blue House because the old walls were blue before they were restored. Museo de Miguel de Santiago (Miguel de Santiago’s Museum) It is inside the Convent from San Agustín, where we can see lots of art pieces form the Colony. The most important from them are those painted by Miguel de Santiago, one of the most important painters that time. We can also visit the so famous Sala Capitular, which was the room of the University of San Fulgencio, and which was later the scenery where the first document of the first Independence of America was signed the 10th august 1809. Inside the chairs are beautiful and real art pieces made in the 18th century. The most beautiful chair was reserved for important people like the Mariscal Antonio Jose de Sucre and Juan Pío Montufar. The room is dominated by a great Christ made in that time, and a big subterranean vault in which are buried in a common grave some distinguished people from Quito’s history, religious Augustinians and founding fathers of the Independence. Museo de Arquitectura (Architecture museum) It was created by the Architectures School of Ecuador, in Pichincha. It is situated in an antique house which was renewed at the beginning of the 20th century. It conserves its structures of the garden, the galleries and the expositions rooms. We can find there models of the modern architecture of Quito, which remembers us the birth and first development of the architecture in the 20th century. There also are temporary expositions of paintings and drawings from architects and works which won prizes in the architecture biennial in Quito. Museo de Manuela Sáenz (Manuela Sáenz Museum) It was created in honor to the distinguished and brave lady from Quito: Manuela Sáenz. The museum is in the same house where she used to live. There you can find some important and historical documents, coins, objects that time and some other belongings from Manuela Sáenz. Manuelita Sánez, so was she called, was very closed to the Libertador Simon Bolívar, with whom she participated in the Independence of Ecuador. She died in exile in Paita-Perú in 1856. In that time the president of Ecuador was Vicente Rocafuerte, who didn’t let her come back to the country. Museo de Fray Pedro Bedon (Fray Pedro Bedon Museum) Inside this museum you will find an important and huge exposition of religious art, which tell us about important Dominicans. The most highlighted pieces are the collection of Kings of Israel by Nicolás Javier Goríbar, sculptures from Legarda, the Virgen de la Natividad by Caspicara, the throne of the silver Virgen, pieces of Fray Pedro Bedon. All of this combines with the grat architecture style from the convent and the church of Santo Domingo. The name remembers the distinguished Dominican painter Fray Pedro Bedon, creator of the brotherhood of indigenas painters in Quito whom he teached his abilities in the 16th century. Museo de Camilo Egas (Camilo Egas Museum) This is a museum of contemporary art, with the most beautiful art pieces by Camilo Egas, one of the greatest painters from the 20th century, born in Quito in 1889 in San Blas. He lived in a difficult period for the Ecuadorian politics. He entered to the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Quito (School of Arts of Quito) in 1905; The National Government gave him a scholarship for the Real Academy in Rome. So he constantly went to Italy and France. The difficult political and social situation influenced him a lot. He painted his pieces in United States. It’s a great collection which talks a lot of the Ecuadorian situation. After of a lot of work and prizes like the first prize in the concourse Mariano Aguilera in 1923, he began teaching in the new School for Social Research in 1930. He was declared Cultural Diplomatic Traveler by the Ecuadorian government in 1957. he also was declared Doctor Honoris Causa en Bellas Artes (Doctor Honoris Causa in Arts), in recognition of his work by the New School Social Research in 1962. He died in New York the 18th September in 1962. In honor of this important artist it has created this place for discussion , promotion and diffusion of many cultural activities. Museo de Arte Colonial (Colonial Art Museum) It is the first museum existed in Ecuador, founded in 1939. It opened its doors in 1944. It is in a sumptuous colonial house from the 16th century, which belonged to one of the members of the Real Audiencia, Francisco de Villacís, and the to many famous families in Quito. It recreates the environment of a colonial house, with handcrafts, trunks, credenzas. It includes paintings, sculptures and maps of Quito, donated by collectionists. The most important pieces are La Inmaculada painted by Manuel de Samaniego, Santa Rosa from Lima by Bernardo de Legarda, La Dolorosa by Manuel Chili Caspicara, which show the identity of the Escuela Quiteña (Art School of Quito). Museo de San Diego (San Diego Museum) It is inside the convent that has the same name. It has got an important collection of religious colonial art, wall-paintings like the Milagro, aparicion y entrada del cuadro de esta capilla de la cumber del Pichincha, which was founded in the Cross Garden. There also are canvases showing the life of Santa Teresa. Those canvases have great and beautiful frames. You can find here some scenes of Christ’s Passion. It’s important to highlight the Mudejar artesonar from the presbytery, incredible and unique jewellery. There are other art pieces distributed in for rooms. Museo de la Cima de la libertad o Templo de la Patria (Liberty Top Museum or Patria’s Temple) It is located in the same place where the Pichincha’s Battle was taken place. This battle has determinate Ecuador’s Independence from Spain. Who commanded this confrontation was the General Antonio Jose de Sucre. It has got lost of antique guns, flags, recreations of the battle, paintings, etc. We highlight the wall painted by Eduardo Kigman, one of the most important painters in Ecuador. We can also find here the so called eternal flame. All this is inside an architectonic ensemble constructed by the architect Milton Barragán in 1980, and from which it’s possible to enjoy a great view of Quito. Museo del Agua (Water’s Museum) The importance of this natural resource in the whole world it’s getting bigger, that many people think I’s going to be one of the most wanted resources. In the city of Quito, we can find a museum dedicated to this resource, in the tanks or reserve tanks form the water of Pleasure. In this space we can find a marvellous garden called the park of the three elements: the water (coming from Chorrera: in the Pleasure), the stone, obtained from stonecutters from the Quebrada de Jerusalen (in the south of Pleasure), and the earth with which bricks and that kind of products were made in the Tejar (in the north of Pleasure). The museum is a space covered over swimming pools. Inside there are seven thematic rooms, an auditorium and a place for events and temporary expositions. It was thought as a great structure in which front hangs a water lamina of 15x50 meters, put like a transparent curtain between the inner part of the museum and the landscape of Quito. Museo Etnográfico y de Ciencias Naturales del Colegio Mejía (Ethnographic and Natural Science Museum from Mejía School) One of the most important schools in Quito is Mejía Schools. Inside the school is this museum, which contains a good sample of 21 ethnic groups in Ecuador, each of them characterized with their clothing, customs and traditions. We can also find a good an ecological sample of Ecuador: the principal ecosystems of the country. There are samples of 1000 kings of birds, vertebrates, amphibious, mammalians, reptiles under others species belonging to the fauna of the country. Museo Antropologico Antonio Santiana (Anthropologic Museum Antonio Santiana) It is one of the most antique museums in Latin America. If was founded in 1925. Many distinguished anthropologists had been here. Let’s announce some names: the German Dr. Max Hule and the Ecuadorian Jacinto Jijon y Caamaño, who were the pioneers in the formation and the recollection of pieces for museums Later, Dr, Antonio Santiana directed this institution. It is located in the building of the Philosophy Faculty of the Central University of Ecuador in Quito; it also contributes to the student’s formation of some similar studies. It has got an important archeological collection of some periods in our history, such as the hunting period, the fishing period, and the collection (Paleo-Indian and pre ceramics periods); from the initial agriculture and intensive. There also are collections of the commercial period (integration) of Ecuador’s history. Museo de la Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana It has got a great collection of Ecuadorian arts, especially from the republican and contemporary periods. The most important art pieces are from the painters Joaquín Pinto, Antonio Salas, Juan Manosalvas, Luis Cadena, Camilo Egas, Diogenes paredes, Luis, Eduardo Kigman, Oswaldo Guayasamín, Estuardo Maldonado, Oswaldo Viteri, and others great Ecuadorian painters. We also can find a galley of traditional clothing. There is a section of musical instruments called Pedro Pablo Traversari, which is considerate one of the best in the world because of its important and big collection. The Museum is located over the intersection of Av. 6 de Diciembre and Patria in the center north area of Quito. Museo Nacional del Banco Central del Ecuador (National Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador) It is one of the most important museums in the whole country, because of its richness and value of the pieces shown. It shows us the Ecuadorian identity, represented in an extraordinary selection and classification of objects from different periods of Ecuadorian history: from the aboriginal, with an excellent archeological and golden sample; a sample of the Inca culture, the Spanish conquest with a huge exposition of colonial and religious art; the Independency and the republic, with paintings and sculptures belonging to this time. It also has a sample of the contemporary time. The Museum is located over the intersection of Av. 6 de Diciembre and Patria in the center north area of Quito. Museo Jacinto Jijo y Caamaño (Jacinto Jijo y Caamaño museum) Located inside of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, one block away from the above museums in Quito, it shows an important sample of Ecuadorian archeology, besides of objects found during excavations made by Jacinto Jijo y Caamaño in Lima-Perú. There also is a series of paintings from the 17th to the 19th centuries belonging to different Ecuadorian artists. Museo Weilbauer Is has an archeological collection belonging to the marriage Eugene and Hilda Weilbauer, who made important archeological studies in the country. The pieces of these studies were donated to the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, where there also is the particular collection of the Father Pedro Porras. He was another archeologist. So, the complete collection in the country is 9000 year old. Its important not to forget the ceramic works made by pre-Columbian cultures such as the Valdivia, Chorrera, Machalilla and Cotocollao. Museo Amazonico Abya-Yala It is and important cultural place, where we can observe a big sample of the different amazonic communities of Ecuador, highlighting their handcrafts, clothing, house, costumes, etc. There’s also a good sample of the fauna and amazonic archeology. The most important attractions of this museum are the so called tzanza, which are reduced head. This was part of a warrior ritual in Shuar groups. Museo de artes (Arts museum) It opened its doors in 1964. The visitant can make a travel trough the different stages of the country’s history tanks to an important archeological and artistic sample that embraces around 9000 years. There also are samples of dishes, furniture, lamps and old miniatures.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/23/1207243440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/23/1207243440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/23/1207243440/tpod.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:25:42 -0400 San Blas, El Belen and Guapulo Quito Churches

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San Blas Built in 1568 and rebuilt in 1713 and 1969. It is located in one of the parish, which was at first designated to the indigenes. It is rounded by the square of its same name, which was also the limit of Quito in a past time. The church has only got one regular and large nave, which end in an octagonal form. The façade is beautiful made in stone, with two columns, besides a tower with its bell. It is part of the ensemble with the parish house. Inner the church we can find images of Santa Mariana de Jesús, the Virgen of El Quinche, El Senor de la Resureccion , El Senor de la Misericordia, La Dolorosa, the image of San Blas, and others, besides a beautiful altar made in marble and a terrific monstrance.   El Belen This modest church is part of the artistic patrimony of Quito. It was built in 1612 as a humble chapel in honor to the viceroy of Peru Blasco Núnez Vela, who died, decapitated by Sebastian de Benalcazar, when Quito was founded. After this, it was rebuilt by the President of the Audiencia, Villalengua in 1787. It is located where the first mass was taken place, when Quito was founded. Different religious communities occupied this church, such as: Franciscans, Augustinians, Mercedarian, and today, by the parish of Santa Prisca. Inner the church there are important pieces like the retable, one Sacrarium and one Calvary of the 17th century. There are also one crucifix carved in wood by the indigene Manuela Chili, and other important art pieces. Chapel of the Consuelo It is at a side of Itchimbia. In the past it was called the chapel of our Senora del Belen. It was constructed by Gregorio Cardenas, who discovered the Virgen, as he founded some walls. So, he built this chapel in the same place of the discovery, in the 1691 century. This chapel has only a nave. We can find at its front a beautiful cross from the 17th century, made in stone. Inside the church there are important art pieces, too. Santa Teresita This important church was built since 1946, and opened its doors in 1956, with the sponsor of the Carmelitas Community of Quito. It's in one of the modern places of Quito, in contrast to the colonial churches, which are in the Centro Historico. Its style is neo-goyhic, from the middle age. It has one principal nave and two laterals. Inside it there is the image of the Patrona, the Virgen del Carmen, besides a big crypt, images of Santa Teresita, San Juan de la Cruz an other representations brought from Europe. Guapulo It is one of the most important sanctuaries in charge of the Franciscans. It was built in 1537 by the architect Fray Antonio Rodriguez, in the place where it was the way from which Gonzalo Pizarro and Francisco de Orellana began their expedition to the cinnamon country to discover the Amazonas River. The origin of Guapulo is a little town of indigenes that lived next to this sanctuary. Today it is a place with little houses where many artists are living in. There are also cafes and restaurants. The church has a nave in cross, with 4 stron arches which support the dome. It is completed with the cloister and the convent. We can find there important art pieces such as the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe, from one of the most important Spanish sculptors from that time, Diego de Robles. There are also works from colonial artists such as Miguel de Santiago, Nicolas de Goribar and others.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/22/1207239960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/22/1207239960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/22/1207239960/tpod.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:28:17 -0400 San Diego and Quito Basilica del Voto Nacional Church

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Quito, Ecuador

San Diego It is a church and a monastery constructed inside Quito's colonial downtown, on request of the villagers of San Diego in 1559 and was finished in 1625, after the renewed religious orders after the Trento's council. Father Bartolome Rubio was de director of the construction. Is has only one nave, with a brick dome, strong walls and beautiful coffered. Its front door has got a cattail. The ensemble is complete with the monastery, formed with three cloisters, with half arcades supported by stone columns. The garden is the centre of the interest and communitarian activity. Inside the church are wall paintings of Santa Teresa, with rich colonial frames. The pulpit was carved by Juan Bautista Menacho in the 17th century. The portrait of Father Almeida and a Jesus sculpture are part of this church. The sculpture is very curious because when the person changes the angle from which he is looking. So was born the legend of Father Almeida. Capilla de Chiquinquira It worked at the entrance of the San Diego Convent, next to the church. It was built inside Quito's colonial downtown, between 1797 and 1803, and then it was renewal in 1980. Inner the chapel there is a wall in which is represented the Virgen. It is said that this wall had been moved in procession in 1616. The painting of Fray Pedro Gosseal, Miracle, apparition and entrance of this painting to this chapel of the Pichincha's crest, is the testimony of this procession. San Juan It is located in a strategic place of the Quito, because it can be seen from different parts of the Quito. The construction inside Quito's colonial downtown began at the end of the 16th century and beginning of the 17th century. The purpose of the construction was to form an Augustinian recollect. It only has one nave, with a great rosette in its facade. The principal cloister has got round arches, its walls are from fetter and mud. It is covered by curved roof tile. It also has got a central garden with a gallery of round arches and columns of brick. The cloister it self is at the back next to another garden. It has one of the eldest cemeteries in the Quito. La Basilica del Voto Nacional It is one of the most impressing temples inside Quito's colonial downtowny, the last that was constructed, and the biggest church of this style in Latin America. The name remembers Ecuador's consecration to Corazon de Jesús made by Garcia Moreno. It has a central nave and two lateral. It is made in stone, bonze an Italian marble by the architect Emile Tailler (1883-1892). He chose the gothic style, inspired in the Cathedral of Bourges of Paris, and because of receiving financing from the congregation of the Sacred Jesus Heart of France. It has a neo-gothic style, combined with the French art and the traditional one. Example of this are the mythic animals carved in stone, representing Ecuador's regions ant its fauna. Inner the church there are chapels dedicated to Ecuador's provinces, besides of the National Pantheon for the Presidents.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/21/1207237740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/21/1207237740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/21/1207237740/tpod.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:51:11 -0400 San Sebastian, La Recoleta, La Inmaculada Quito Churches

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San Sebastian Constructedinside Quito's colonial downtown, in 1570, it belongs to the first parish in Quito. It was designated to Indian people, because in this place had existed the entrance to the Royal Way to the Inca city. It has a simple but beautiful entrance door with a strong tower. It is part of a joined of a new church constructed in 1925, with a big square and its atrium. There are art pieces such as the sculpture of San Sebastian from the 17th century, which was brought from Spain. It is one of the most important sculpture of the nation. There is also a retable form the 17th century, treasure from the baroque in Quito. El Buen Pastor o de la Recoleta This church began its construction inside Quito's colonial downtown, at the beginning of the 17th century thanks to the Dominican community. The constructor was Fray Pedro Bedon. The church received the name of Recoleta de Nuestra Senora de la Pena de Francia, in the 17th century, under Garcia Moreno's power. Then it was under the responsibility of the Buen Pastor congregation. La Recoleta de la Pena de Francia was the monastery of recollection of the Dominican. The church was famous for its deeply spiritual life. This was the example for the Quito. So it was how other recoletas were built outside the Quito in order to find a quiet place for the monks. This church has a simple outdoor with two towers, pilasters and an octagonal rosette over the principal door. Inside it has the form of a dome, with a single nave and a dome in the major altar. It also has rich paintings of important artists, and a two floored decorated cloister. La Inmaculada This religious ensemble was constructed inside Quito's colonial downtown, in the 19th century (1872-1874). It is in a small mountain from which it is easy to watch Quito. The outdoor style is Neo-Gothic and ends in a tower. It has a dome and agivals archs, three gardens with cloisters supported by bricks columns and lower arch, evidence of an interesting mix between stone floors and wood floors. Chimbacalle This church was buil inside Quito's colonial downtown, at a side of the train's station. It replaces the church constructed for the Main train station. It is from 1912 and has a single deck. It is characterized by its austere front door, with symmetry. There is a bell tower which you can access through a semicircular stone stair. Tejar This church was constructed inside Quito's colonial downtown in the 18th century (1754) century by Francisco de Jesús Bolanos, who sponsored the elaboration of a copy of the traveling of Quito, La Virgen de las Mercedes, and went with their brother of the Community of la Merced in their way to recollect charities in order to begin the construction of the church. It has a single nave. Its front door has a manierist style, with two modern towers with bells. The ensemble is conformed by this church, the monastery and two cloisters. In the back they have one of the oldest cementeries in Quito. Inside the church we can find canvases from the life of San Pedro but also El Cristo de la Crucifixion by Miguel de Santiago.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/20/1207085640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/20/1207085640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/20/1207085640/tpod.html Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:37:55 -0400 Quito Unesco heritage Capilla de los Milagros, San Marcos, Santo Domingo, Capilla del Rosario, Capilla de la Virgen de la Escalera

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Quito, Ecuador

Capilla de los Milagros It was built inside Quito's colonial downtown in 1680, and restored in 1990. Its architecture is simple and colourful. Its walls contain important art pieces such as the charming and mysterious image of Senor de los Milagros, which represents the terrible scene of gibe that received Jesus at Pilatos home. There is also an image of El Senor de los Milagros made in stone. San Marcos This is a small temple from the 16th century. The place where it was constructed inside Quito's colonial downtown belonged at that time to artisans. It is at the centre of the square from the same name. Through the years, this place became a residential district with one floored houses and yards. The people who used to live here where priests, silversmiths, blacksmiths, Spanish people and a few indigenes. It has a rectangular room and an arch which divides the Presbyterian place from the place designated to people. Its altar and its pulpit are from the 18th century. The principal images in the church are San Jose, the Virgen and the Magdalena. Santo Domingo These religious connected buildings were built inside Quito's colonial downtown in 1620 by Francisco Becerra, one of the most important architectures in the 16th century in Loma Grande. He also constructed the Cathedrals of Lima and El Cuzco. The church has 3 decks, carved altarpieces covered with gold leaf, Doris columns, Mudejar artesonars. Its tower, the principal entrances are very important and beautiful. The principal art styles in its paintings of Santo Domingos life are the Mudejar and the plateresque. The monastery's choir has a set of chairs which is gold. The church also has important chapels at its sides. Their names are: Virgen del Rosario at the right side, and Virgen de la Escalera at the left. Capilla del Rosario It was constructed inside Quito's colonial downtown honour to the Virgen del Rosario, brought from Spain in 1548. Bernardo de Legarda and Leonardo Doubler participated in its construction, after the donation made by the town council of the Audiencia. The constructed the arch of Santo Domingo in order not to obstruct the street named La Mama Cuchara, today Rocafuerte. Before this chapel construction, inside Quito's colonial downtown, the devotion for this Virgen was so strong that there were three altars for her in the church: the first one was of the black confraternity, the second one, of the Indian confraternity, and the last one, of the Spanish and Creole confraternity. This last one was very interested in the construction of the chapel, and was the most powerful social sector. Capilla de la Virgen de la Escalera It is at the right side of Santo Domingos church. It was constructed inside Quito's colonial downtown, as a continuation of the church between 1912 and 1914. Its constructor was the famous architect of the beginning of the 20th century, Pedro Bruning. La Virgen de la Escalera is a wall painting made in 1600 by Fran Pedro Bedon. Quito Travel ResourcesHotel Quito ecuador Hotel in Quito ecuadorHotel Quito Quito Ecuadorbest hotel in quitohotel quitoQuito hotels
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/19/1207000440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/19/1207000440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/19/1207000440/tpod.html Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:55:58 -0400 Churches with legends in Quito, Santa Clara, Capilla del Robo and San Roque

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Quito, Ecuador

Santa Clara It was built in the XVII century by one of the most important architects of the Colony. He was the Franciscan Antonio Rodriguez. At first, it was an humble chapel. It was devastated by an earthquake in 1639. This Quito's church and monastery has: one tower with bells, and a 18th century retable. This retable was made by a great artist from the Colony: Manuel de Samaniego. It also has an lowered room and and an alter built in Germany. This religious ensemble was born in order to redeem the captain Juan Jose Galarza's soul, who was excommunicated because he had Popyan's Bishop injured insede the Catedral. His wife Francisca de la Cueva, after being widowed, decided to go with her two daughters to the monastery for a retirement. For this propose she bought all houses in the square, putting the building under Santa Claras de Asis' protection. Capilla del Robo It was built in the middle of the 17th century (1650), after the robbery of the Sagrario provisional chapel of Santa Catalina. The followers decided to built a definitive chapel in the same place where the little sagrario's trunk was. There were also its thrown oysters, at a side of Jerusalem's rivulet, inside Quito's historic downtown also called rivulet of the turkey buzzards. In this Quito's chapel we can find sculptures such as: la coronacion de la Virgen, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Santo Domingo and others. All of them made by important artists from the Quito's Colony San Roque The father Brunning built this Quito's church at the beginning of the 20th century (1907-1916). It has got different architectonical styles: neo gothic and neo roman ones. Its domes show flowered designs, traditional elements and important decorations . Some of the images we can see there are: San Antonio de Padua, and the image of the Virgen labradora. Inside the church the major retable is dedicated to San Roque. There is also the famous Christ of Pampite. Santa Catalina de Siena This is one of the most antique monasteries in Quito. It was founded in 1594 by the widow Dona Maria de Siliceo, her three daughters and six orphan's children from Quito. It was constructed inside Quito's historic downtown in 1615 in the place where was the important conqueror's house, Don Lorenzo de Cepeda y Ahumada. It also was the place of the historical Inca Agllahuasi palace. It was also called the virgin's palace, who was dedicated to the divine cult and to be the Inca's wife in order to keep their royal blood. We can find in this monastery some vault and a colonialist religious art collection. An example is the Virgen de la Pena de Francia sourrounded of angels and and a boy who represents Jesus Christ. There is also an sculpture of Nuestra Senora de la Escalera from the 18th century. It is thought that Caspicara was its author. But there also are paintings from Rodriguez y Samaniego, a manger by Legarda, a mural in honour to the Virgen de las Lajas, by Fray Pedro de Bedon. Legends and stories are part of this monastery. People tell that there was a none from the 19th century who foretold that there might appear certain circles like suns in the corners lightening the streets in Quito. She also said that there would be some cars running without horses through the streets. History tells that those predictions happened: the electricity light and the first modern cars arrived finally at Quito. But it happened something else she could foretell. She said that it would be blood the day that the church had its door. What in reality happened was that the church had the door and the next day, one attacker of the presidential police of Eloy Alfaro began the massacre. We can also mention that people found the rests of the ex-president Gabriel Garcia Moreno in the walls of this church. He is now in another important church: La Catedral inside Quito's historic downtown. Nowadays you can buy in this church some products like: wine, syrup, creams made by the nones of the church.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/18/1206998700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/18/1206998700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/18/1206998700/tpod.html Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:31:00 -0400 Santa Barbara, El Carmen Alto and El Beaterio Quito Churches

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Quito, Ecuador

La Concepcion It was the first none monastery founded in 1577 in Quito, under the sponsor from the Franciscan order, in order to pick up women who were alone or abandoned. The construction began after the donation made by the Council from the Quito Audiencia: they donated a square for the construction of the Concepcion. The church has got only one deck. Its portrait is made on stone. Its walls are moderate and simple. It counts with some sculpture details and important mudejar and plateresque retable. We can find here the image of the Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion, made in wood by Francisco de Castilli. There are also art pieces from important artists such as Legarda and Caspicara. Times ago, nones would go to religious ceremonies, staying in the high and low choirs' place, which were protected with grilles. Nowadays the nones made some products such as cremes and wine. They sell them. San Agustin In was constructed with the planes designed by Francisco Becerra in the XVI century. It was finished in the XVII century, by the Father Basilio de Rivera. Because of lots of earthquakes it has been modified. The front door and the tower, which is the robustest one, are very important. Its harmonic construction shows gothic, renaissance and mannerists elements. Its front door is elegant and temperate, decorated with a mudejar style. Its cloister and its artesonar are amazingly rich and beautiful. A good example is the Capitulary Room (Sala Capitular). This room is one of the greatest attractions because there are many art pieces, which value is big and these are very important because of its historical riches; it was the Magna Room from the University de San Fulgencio, one of the first superior education centres in Quito. This is also the place where de certificate of Independence was singed the 10th august 1809. This Quito's church has got many paintings from the great colonialist painter Miguel de Santiago. His rests are in the undergrounds church. El Carmen Bajo It is also known as the Modern Carmen. Its construction began in 1704 and finished in 1745. The head of the project was the Bishop Andres Paredes de Armendaris. It was made in order to make room for the Carmelitas de Latacunga, who had to go out of their city because of earthquakes in 1698. Its ensemble is formed with two principal yards, one vegetable garden and one important temple with a stoned front door. Inside the church the retable of Bernardo de Legarda is really prominent and distinguishes. But it is also the Nacimiento de Belen. The monastery has the major porcelain sample from Quito, from 1770.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/17/1206924600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/17/1206924600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/17/1206924600/tpod.html Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:53:39 -0400 San Francisco Quito's Convent, Church and Square

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Quito, Ecuador

San Francisco Quito's Convent, Church and Square The construction of this religious ensemble (Monastery, atrium, six principal cloisters and others secondary, three temples and the square) was a long one. People used a part of the treasure of Atahualpa to build this ensemble, but also with money send by the King of Spain, King Carlos V. Some of the most important constructors were: Fray Jodoco Rique (Franciscan of Flamenco), Jorge de la Cruz Mitiga (indian), who built the first part of the ensemble. Fray Francisco Benitez continued its construction, specially the mudejar coffered ceiling, the mayor altar and the chor chairs., the sacristy, the bibliotec and the rooms. Fray Antonio Rodriguez finished the construction. This Quito's church belongs to the most important and biggest religious ensemble of the continent. It is one of the beauties in South America. It has an extension of three hectares. and a half, and presides the most characteristic and historical squares of the Quito.. The San Francisco Quito's Church has three naves, a mannerist front door, made with stone, its tow towers. Inside, we find one of the most important religious art collections in America, with paintings and sculptures of a high religious and artistic value. An example is the famous Virgen de Legarda, made by Bernardo de Legarda in the XVIII century. Capilla de Cantuña This is a chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. It has the name of the most important helper in the construction: the Indian Cantuña, Gualca's son, man of Rumiñahui, who helped to bury the treasure of Atahualpa, and to make fire in the Quito's before the Spanish arrived. As he knew where the treasure was, part f it was destinated for the construction of the church and its decoration. The chapel is at a side of the church of San Francisco. We can find there different art pieces such as El Calvario, made by Bernardo de Legarda, or San Pedro de Alcántara, atribuited to Father Carlos. La Merced 1700 begun the definitive construction of this Quito's church and the monastery from the mercedar community. Bernardo de Legarda made the mayor altar. From the beginning, the construction followed the model of the Jesuit church La Compania, but it never couldn’t compete with La Compania because of economic reasons. At that time, the image of the Virgen gave by the Carlos V was converted in charitable and in order to have the necessary money to construct the church. The Virgen was, from the beginning, the patron for the Ecuadorian army, and years later, it was already known as the patron of the earthquakes. This Quito's church conserves the entrance from stone, which was made in 1769. The building has only one tower with its historical bell, and its domes are covered with green pillow blocks. It has three naves, which form the Latin cross on the floor. It also has a beautiful pulpit and its antique organ, which was used by Pedro Gosseal to teach indian people music. The most attractive piece in this Quito's church is the stone fountain, in which Neptuno's figure is prominent. There are also important paintings and sculptures which belonged to the colonialists’ time, an English watch with black glass made in 1817 and installed in 1820 in the highest part of the dome. So was also with the Virgen of La Merced, made in polychrome stone, unique in its gender.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/16/1206921960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/16/1206921960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ericastromattas/16/1206921960/tpod.html Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:08:11 -0400 La Concepción, San Agustín, El Carmen Bajo at Quito Colonial Downtown

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Quito, Ecuador

La Concepcion It was the first none monastery founded in 1577 in Quito, under the sponsor from the Franciscan order, in order to pick up women who were alone or abandoned. The construction began after the donation made by the Council from the Quito Audiencia: they donated a square for the construction of the Concepcion. The church has got only one deck. Its portrait is made on stone. Its walls are moderate and simple. It counts with some sculpture details and important mudejar and plateresque retable. We can find here the image of the Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion, made in wood by Francisco de Castilli. There are also art pieces from important artists such as Legarda and Caspicara. Times ago, nones would go to religious ceremonies, staying in the high and low choirs’ place, which were protected with grilles. Nowadays the nones made some products such as crèmes and wine. They sell them. San Agustin In was constructed with the planes designed by Francisco Becerra in the XVI century. It was finished in the XVII century, by the Father Basilio de Rivera. Because of lots of earthquakes it has been modified. The front door and the tower, which is the robustest one, are very important. Its harmonic construction shows gothic, renaissance and mannerists elements. Its front door is elegant and temperate, decorated with a mudejar style. Its cloister and its artesonar are amazingly rich and beautiful. A good example is the Capitulary Room (Sala Capitular). This room is one of the greatest attractions because there are many art pieces, which value is big and these are very important because of its historical riches; it was the Magna Room from the University de San Fulgencio, one of the first superior education centres in Quito. This is also the place where de certificate of Independence was singed the 10th august 1809. This Quito's church has got many paintings from the great colonialist painter Miguel de Santiago. His rests are in the undergrounds church. El Carmen Bajo It is also known as the Modern Carmen. Its construction began in 1704 and finished in 1745. The head of the project was the Bishop Andres Paredes de Armendáris. It was made in order to make room for the Carmelitas de Latacunga, who had to go out of their city because of earthquakes in 1698. Its ensemble is formed with two principal yards, one vegetable garden and one important temple with a stoned front door. Inside the church the retable of Bernardo de Legarda is really prominent and distinguishes. But it is also the Nacimiento de Belen. The monastery has the major porcelain sample from Quito, from 1770.
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