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Only 25km from the equator, the center of Quito lies in a broad valley at an altitude of 2,850m, with a climate of perpetual spring. An ancient Inca city, it was refounded by Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534. North of Quito amid some stunning scenery is the heavily indigenous town of Otavalo.
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| Two views (above) of the plaza de la Independencia, Quito's main square. At left is the front of the Cathedral, built 1550-62 and replete with many fine 17 and 18C paintings. | |
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| Two views (above) of Quito's colonial old town; at left is the hill of El Panecillo ("the Little Bread Loaf") with its statue of the winged Virgin Mary. | |
My nephew and travel partner Steve stands in front of the Church of San Francisco (1535), Quito's largest church |
The Plaza de San Francisco in front of the church, with El Panecillo looming in the background. |
Along the side of the Church of San Francisco street vendors do a brisk business in religious and devotional objects. |
The front of Quito's modern Basilica just north of the colonial center. |
The plaza in front of the Basilica. |
View of the city from atop El Panecillo. The drive up can be dangerous during the day, and would be suicidal at night. |
A statue of the Virgin Mary with wings is reportedly the only one of its kind anywhere. |
Steve stands with one foot in each hemisphere at the Equator Monument north of Quito. |
The view from the tower at the equator monument. |
The Panamerican Highway crosses the equator at a slightly different location from that at the Equator Monument, duly noted with a globe sculpture. |
Otavalo - the main church on the Plaza Bolivar, the town's main square. |
Otavalo - the shady Plaza Bolívar. In the center is a statue of Rimińáhue, the general of the Inca chief Atahualpa. |
Otavalo is noted for its colorful crafts and produce markets. |
Just a few kms outside of Otavalo is Lago San Pablo, a tranquil lake set in lush countryside. |
Steve enjoys the warm sunshine and a cold cerveza in a cafe beside the lake. |
Map courtesy of The World Factbook. |
