- allain
- First Reviewer
- 3 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 3
- Reviews
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2
- Photos
Cotacachi
- March 5, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
adf from Prescott, Arizona
North of Quito on the PanAm highway, Cotacachi is famous for leather work. If you're in the market for a briefcase, suitcase, belt or jacket, this is the place to shop.
From journal Elemental Ecuador
Quito City Sights
- March 5, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
adf from Prescott, Arizona
Seven tons of gold decorate the florid La Compagnia church. The convent/church of Santo Domingo features its own small museum. Both are on the main square. The hill called Panecillo boasts a huge statue of the Virgen of Quito and sweeping views of the city. "Gringolandia" is an area of Mariscal Sucre (the new city) noted for numerous small cafes and shops that cater to tourists.
From journal Elemental Ecuador
Editor Pick
The old town of Quito
- April 8, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
allain from paris, France
The old Quito is located in the lower part of city. The tram plunges in the entrails of the historical city and proposes to us a voyage through the times. Elegant buildings with white walls replace the constructions of glass and steel; the broad avenues leave room to narrow paved lanes. We go down in the neighborhoods from the national theatre, which is unfortunately in works. The streets are crammed, a multicoloured crowd with an Indian majority saunters there, and business. Here it is a salesman of piles who accosts you, further it is a salesman of soaps and toothpaste, one finds there of all in the streets of Quito. However the street peddler who has the most success is this man who holds in shoulder belt an impressive collection of lottery tickets.
Various styles of architecture are spread in the historical center, declared inheritance world of humanity by UNESCO. Noble residences with the white walls and the tiled roofs, churches and old convents, shaded places and secret patios, the old city abounds in wonders. The first church that we visit is the Merced basilica and its elegant cupola. The interior is remarkable by the quality of the stained glasses and the murals. On one among it one can see there a priest and a conquistador baptizing an Amazonian Indian.
Further, one mall leads to imposing the plaza San Francisco, bordered in its northern edge by the church and the monastery of the same name. This unit is oldest of Quito and one of the largest of South America. The two twin towers seem to defy the Pinchicha volcano. It has been three hundred years well that the volcano did not erupt, may be it is due to the presence of the Virgin of Quito. Located at the node of the hill of Panecillo, it takes care, a little with the manner of Corcavedo of Rio de Janeiro on the old Inca northern capital. At the interior one can admire the sculptures and paintings of the famous school of Quito as well as the massive silver Altar. We finish this rapid visit by the vain place of independence. Many old people especially attend this shaded vacation resort. About midday the sun is done burning and I understand why locals wear all kind of hats.
From journal Quito