Quito - Peregringo

Reliquary of the Americas: Quito’s Old Town

Quito’s Old City, a wondrous maze of colonial architecture, is the largest and best-preserved in the Americas. Having endured a massive upgrade in recent years – with historic buildings restored and dicey barrios revitalized – the Old Town now boasts an impressive list of notable wonders: nearly 60 colonial churches and plazas, a bevy of Independence-era buildings, dozens … Continue reading “Reliquary of the Americas: Quito’s Old Town”

Scenes from Quito's Old Town, a colonial gem of a city

Quito’s Old City, a wondrous maze of colonial architecture, is the largest and best-preserved in the Americas. Having endured a massive upgrade in recent years – with historic buildings restored and dicey barrios revitalized – the Old Town now boasts an impressive list of notable wonders: nearly 60 colonial churches and plazas, a bevy of Independence-era buildings, dozens of private homes, and a long list of outstanding museums.

Wandering the Old Town is a treat for the eyes and I was entertained for days. I’m not normally a huge fan of Latin American capital cities but the lure of Quito’s centro histórico is hard to resist!

Views above Quito from the clock towers of the Basílica del Voto Nacional

$One of the sunset-lit volcanoes towering above Quito\'s Old Town$

$Soldiers during the elaborate Changing of the Guard each Monday in Quito\'s Plaza Grande$

Presidential campaigners in front of the spectacular baroque church La Compañía de Jesús, the most beautiful I have ever seen

$Posing with quiteño street graffiti... I love the ironic anti-TV message: \"Consume! Everything\'s fine\" and \"Don\'t question\"$

$Fine view of El Panecillo hill overlooking Quito\'s Old Town$

$The cookies in Quito\'s fragrant panaderías always made me smile$

Passersby in front of San Francisco church strewn with rose petals after a wedding

$Good cops in Quito\'s Old Town$

$Church goers in Quito\'s Old Town$

Fine pre-colonial art on display at the outstanding Casa del Alabado museum, a must-see when in Quito

A farewell beer with Paul at Vista Hermosa, our favorite cocktail joint in Quito