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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. Admission for foreigners is US$6 for adults and US$3 for students (as of October 2024) and photography is strictly prohibited.
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.
Attached to the church entrance to the right is the Friar Pedro Gocial Franciscan Museum (Museo Franciscano Fray Pedro Gocial), which displays some of the finest colonial artwork in the city. The church’s balcony and courtyard as well as the brewery are also part of the museum. Admission is US$4.50 (as of April 2024) and includes a guided tour in English or Spanish. It’s open daily.
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.
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. Admission foreigners is US$10 for a full tour and US$6 for a partial tour (as of October 2024).
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.
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.
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 for adults, US$1 for students, and $0.60 for kids and seniors (as of October 2024). We waited in the courtyard for the tour to begin.
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.
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$2.50 for adults, US$2 for students, and US$1 for kids and seniors (as of October 2024).
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. Admission is US$8 for foreign adults, US$4 for foreign kids age 3-11, and free for kids under 3 (as of October 2024). It’s open Wednesday through Sunday. We didn’t visit.
Santa Clara Monastery
Finally, Santa Clara Monastery (Monasterio de Santa Clara), which sits on a small plaza, was founded in 1596.
