The wealth of the Spanish Empire is
wickedly obvious in the architectural sophistication of Quito. The
first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Quito
has over 40 churches and convents and more squares than I can
remember packed into a fairly small area of town. It doesn't get much
more Catholic than this! Constructed in different architectural
styles, with incredible detail and finishing, the grandeur of these
beautiful churches and cathedrals is impossible to convey in words.
We headed to Old Town on Sunday, the
historical district of Quito to explore this much praised area of
town. The cobbled-stone squares of Plaza Santa Domingo, Plaza San
Francisco, and the Plaza de la Independencia are beautiful. Filled
with locals sitting and enjoying the view, carts selling religious
artifacts, and the squeals of children chasing pigeons. Of all the
churches we visited, some of the most breathtakingly beautiful were
San Francisco, La Compania, La Merced, El Sagrario and La Basilica.
Each of them were unique, often attached to convents or monasteries
and so rich in history. Over the course of these six months, I have
probably been to more churches than in the last two decades of my
life. My mom would be proud :-) After trying to drag me to church
for so many years and failing who would have thought that I would
take a year long vacation and do just that.
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