The Churches of Quito, Ecuador: A Fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and Indigenous Art
This is part of a series of posts from our trip to Ecuador this past December
In my last post, I featured images from our time in Ecuador’s bustling capital city of Quito (where Serena was born and raised) during the annual Fiestas de Quito, which celebrates the foundation of the city, promoting its culture, art, and heritage through concerts, marching bands, and parades. In this post I’ll introduce you to a few of the many churches sprinkled about the city that we were able to visit.
Churches of Quito
Quito has an unusually high number of churches. Why so may churches, you ask? Well, the Spanish colonial administration and different Catholic groups (Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, and Jesuits) heavily prioritized building massive spiritual centers upon founding the city in 1534. They used religious construction as a primary tool for the conversion of indigenous populations and to establish permanent political and cultural dominance.
The monasteries of San Francisco and and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the ‘Baroque school of Quito’, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. So let’s get to a few of them…
Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
The Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco (Basilica and Convent of San Francisco), commonly known as el San Francisco, is a Catholic basilica that stands in the middle of the historic center of Quito, in front of the square of the same name. It is the oldest and most significant religious site in Ecuador and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “City of Quito”.
The construction of the basilica and convent of San Francisco began around the year 1537, just three years after the Spanish foundation of the city, with the completion of a temporary church that remained until 1550, when the construction of the current building began and which was completed around 1680. Although the building was officially inaugurated in 1705.
Alas, the church wasn’t open for visitors due to a Fiestas de Quito concert going on in the plaza right outside its doors and our time in Quito didn’t afford us an opportunity to return, so the interior photographs above are from our visit to the church back in 2024. Most of the church even then was limited to visitors but I’m sure we’ll be back one day soon…
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
The Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (Church of the Society of Jesus in Quito), also known simply as La Compañía, is one of the most significant baroque structures of South America. The facade of its main church, carved entirely from volcanic stone, is considered one of the most important expressions of Baroque architecture in the Americas and the world.
It was built by the hands of natives of the region and adorned by artists of the Quito School, who perpetuated their skill and dedication to carving and gilding every centimeter of the temple with fine sheets of 23-karat gold.
It was visited by Pope John Paul II , who presided over a Mass in the church on January 30, 1985, during his three-day visit to Ecuador. It was also visited by Pope Francis on July 7, 2015, who prayed there before the image of Our Lady of Sorrows. More on this in a future post…
Iglesia de El Sagrario
The Church of El Sagrario is a Catholic church in the city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. It is located in the city’s Historic Center, on García Moreno Street, formerly known as “De las Siete Cruces” (Street of the Seven Crosses). The construction of the church took place between the 17th and 18th centuries. Spanish architect José Jaime Ortiz designed the construction of the church.
The origin of the church’s religious name lies in the fact that all churches of its type (those called “Sagrario”) are sacramental chapels or tabernacles of a larger cathedral, to which they are attached. The facade was completed in 1706, while the rest of the building was finished in 1715, while the altarpieces inside the church were completed between 1731 and 1747.
At the heart of the church stands the main altarpiece, a meticulously crafted centerpiece whose surface gleams with gold leaf. The interior of the church is a testament to the skill of the Escuela Quiteña (Quito School), a renowned artistic movement that fused European techniques with local traditions. This influence is reflected in the carvings, floral motifs, and use of gold leaf.
The screen of the main nave and the dome of the church is the work of Bernardo de Legarda y Arco, an 18th-century sculptor, woodcarver, painter, and silversmith belonging to the Quito School of art, and are considered one of the richest manifestations of the Quito Baroque.
Museo Catedral Primada de Quito
The Museo Catedral Primada de Quito, or Cathedral Museum of Quito, is housed within the historic Metropolitan Cathedral located on the southwestern side of the Plaza de la Independencia in the heart of Quito’s Old Town. As one of the oldest cathedrals in South America, the museum offers visitors a deep dive into Ecuador’s colonial and religious history.
Construction on the cathedral began sometime between 1562 and 1565. Stone was brought from Mount Pichincha and the temple was officially dedicated in 1572 with various additions and renovations being made (due to a volcano eruption in 1660 and earthquakes in 1755 and 1797) until it was completed in 1806. The elaborate arched side-entrance and its semi-circular staircase facing the Plaza were an early 19th-century addition.
Inside, the three naves are supported by pointed arches, which in turn are supported by pillars with square bases. Works by artists of the Quito School of Art adorn the interior of the cathedral. The high altar, said to be entirely of gold, shows both Baroque and Mudejar (a type of ornamentation and decoration used in the Iberian Christian kingdoms) patterns. Full gallery in a future post…
Basílica del Voto Nacional
The Basílica del Voto Nacional is one of Quito’s most iconic landmarks. It is the most important work of Ecuadorian Neo-Gothic architecture in the Americas. Due to its structure and style, it is often compared to two of the great cathedrals of the world: St. Patrick’s Cathedral (New York) and Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris). The basilica’s origins date back to 1883, proposed by Father Julio Matovelle as a monument to honor Ecuador’s consecration to the Sacred Heart.
Designed by French architect Émile Tarlier, it was inspired by European cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris. The basilica features fourteen bronze apostles and evangelists, a pantheon with the remains of past leaders, and 24 chapels, each representing a province of Ecuador.
The basilica, as it is known today, was completed in 1924, when masses began to be celebrated in the central nave and the bells in the towers began to ring. Notably unfinished, local legend whispers that once its construction concludes, so too will the world. It was blessed by Pope John Paul II on January 30, 1985, although it was consecrated and officially inaugurated on July 12, 1988.
