Quito & Vicinity - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 84

plaza covers one square block and is the location of the Presidential
Palace and Cathedral. Fromhere, you can stop and absorb a bit of his-
tory, but be aware of pickpockets.
Along the southwest edge of the plaza is the massive Cathedral ,
completed around 1565 and built of wood and adobe. The huge stone
walls were erected much later, in the 1600s. Although less adorned
than many of the other religious sites in Quito, the Cathedral is well
decorated with works by some of Ecuador's finest early artists from
the School of Quito. Historical plaques, presidential remains, and
paintings reveal the city's rich and tumultuous history. The tower
was added in the 20th century, and pictures of the construction period
offer interesting insights. The Cathedral is open daily, except for a
long midday lunch closure.
Situated on the northwest side of the plaza is the Palacio de
Gobierno ,or Presidential Palace , which was built in the 1700s
and then later remodelled in the neoclassical style. Take note of the
armed guards dressed in 19th-century uniforms (but carrying very
modern semiautomatic weapons). You can enter the main courtyard,
but that is all. The guards may not be smiling, but they didn't seem to
mindmymother taking their picture. In fact, this is a great photo spot
looking out over the plaza.
Plaza de San Francisco
As an alternative, this is another good starting point for a walking
tour of colonial Quito. From here, you can visit the most interesting
colonial churches, museums, and other buildings within just a couple
of blocks in any direction. Each site is an amazing piece of the past in
Ecuador's historical puzzle.
The plaza itself is a one-square-block cobblestone affair surrounded
by typically whitewashed colonial buildings. While here, visit the im-
pressive Monastery of San Francisco , which includes a remark-
able display of churches, a school, a convent, and several courtyards.
Construction on the buildings began in 1535 and was completed 70
years later. The site itself dates back to Inca royalty, having housed
Huayna-Capac, his son Atahualpa, and Atahualpa's children before
the city came crumbling down. Youmay wander through themagnifi-
cent church during services, but be considerate of the worshipers.
You have entered the oldest church and largest colonial building in
Quito. To the southeast is Plaza de Santo Domingo , with the
church and monastery of the same name. The Plaza is located on
Benalcazar between Bolívar and Sucre.