Description
Walking around the historical center of Quito you will come across alleyways and buildings that will transport you back in time. Such is the case with the Hospicio, or Hospital Psiquiátrico San Lázaro, which today shelters hundreds of mentally-ill people, but whose construction, undoubtedly, contains a lot of history. This building was used by the Jesuits for spiritual retreats until 1767. After this, it was transformed into an asylum for lepers and homeless people. The architecture of the building is colonial, and can be appreciated from Calle Ambato.