Last updated on January 25, 2024.

There’s a wealth of colonial churches in the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic city center of Quito. This entry includes all churches we visited in the historic city center except the Metropolitan Cathedral on Plaza Grande.

 

Church of the Society of Jesus

A block from Plaza Grande is perhaps the most magnificent church in all of Ecuador, the Church of the Society of Jesus (Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús). It was built in 1605 and completed 160 years later. The interior is covered from wall to wall with ornate woodwork covered in gold and is quite a sight in person. Adult admission for foreigners is US$5 (as of October 2023) and photography is strictly prohibited. To see a photo of the interior, click here. The photo is much brighter than the church actually is.

Church of the Society of Jesus in Quito, Ecuador
Church of the Society of Jesus

 

Monastery of San Francisco

The oldest church complex in Quito, the Church and Monastery of San Francisco (Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco), is on Plaza de San Francisco. Construction started in 1534 and finished in 1604.

Monastery of San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador
Monastery of San Francisco
Church of San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador
Church of San Francisco

Attached to the church entrance to the right is the Friar Pedro Gocial San Francisco Museum (Museo Fray Pedro Gocial San Francisco), which displays some of the finest colonial artwork in the city. The church’s balcony and courtyard are also part of the museum. Admission is US$3 (as of June 2023) and includes a guided tour in English or Spanish. It’s open daily.

Franciscan Museum in Quito, Ecuador
Franciscan Museum

To the left of the church entrance is the Cantuña Chapel (Capilla de Cantuña), which is supposedly beautiful inside. It was closed for restoration during my visit.

Cantuña Chapel in Quito, Ecuador
Cantuña Chapel

 

Church of Santo Domingo

The Church of Santo Domingo (Iglesia de Santo Domingo), constructed in 1540, is the crown jewel of Plaza de Santo Domingo. The interior of the church is well worth checking out. We didn’t get a great look because mass was being celebrated. The Friar Pedro Bedón Dominican Art Museum (Museo Dominicano de Arte Fray Pedro Bedón) is attached. We didn’t visit, but admission is US$3 (as of October 2022).

Church of Santo Domingo in Quito, Ecuador
Church of Santo Domingo
Nave of the Church of Santo Domingo in Quito, Ecuador
Nave

 

Church of La Merced

Yet another famous church sits a couple blocks to the northwest of Plaza Grande. The stunning Church of La Merced (Iglesia de La Merced) was built in the 18th century. Legend has it that the devil inhabits the tower, which is the only unblessed part of the church, and nobody has entered it since 1810.

Church of La Merced in Quito, Ecuador
Church of La Merced
Nave
Organ

 

Monastery of San Agustín

The Monastery of San Agustín (Monasterio de San Agustín), built between 1580 and 1669, is located just a block southeast of Plaza Grande. It’s one of the most important historic sites in Ecuador.

Monastery of San Agustín in Quito, Ecuador
Monastery of San Agustín

The church was closed for lunch, but we were able to get a guided tour of the monastery and the Miguel de Santiago Museum (Museo Miguel de Santiago). Admission is US$2.50 (as of October 2023). We waited in the courtyard for the tour to begin.

Courtyard

The guide first took us past some artisans who were reconstructing the very ornate original ceiling. We then went into an interesting room which was filled with impressive woodwork and art from floor to ceiling. In this room, the signing of Ecuador’s declaration of independence took place on August 10, 1809. The tour finished in the museum which held some incredible colonial ecclesiastical art. Pictures are forbidden in the rooms.

Cloister

 

Monastery of Santa Catalina

Two blocks from Plaza Grande down Calle Espejo is the Monastery of Santa Catalina (Monasterio de Santa Catalina), founded in 1593. It was closed for lunch when we passed. Admission to the Monacal Museum of Santa Catalina de Siena (Museo Monacal de Santa Catalina de Siena) is US$1.50 (as of October 2023).

Monastery of Santa Catalina in Quito, Ecuador
Monastery of Santa Catalina

 

Carmen Alto Monastery

Next to the City Museum are the 18th century Queen’s Arch (Arco de la Reina) and the Carmen Alto Monastery (Monasterio del Carmen Alto), founded in 1653 and now a museum. We didn’t visit, but it has an admission of US$4 (as of June 2023). It’s open 9:30am to 5:30pm from Wednesday to Sunday.

Queen's Arch in Quito, Ecuador
Queen’s Arch
Carmen Alto Monastery in Quito, Ecuador
Carmen Alto Monastery

 

Santa Clara Monastery

Finally, Santa Clara Monastery (Monasterio de Santa Clara), which sits on a small plaza, was founded in 1596.

Santa Clara Monastery in Quito, Ecuador
Santa Clara Monastery

 

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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