Balbanera is the oldest Catholic church in Ecuador, built by the Spaniards in 1534. The Balbanera church is located in Cajabamba town, 11 mi. (18 km.) from Riobamba near the Colta lake. The church is built with stones, its arched entryway features low pillars, cherubs, and rough religious imagery. Also worth noting are what appear to be ... Read more
Sanctuary Our Lady of the Cloud also known as “San Francisco Church,” in Spanish “Santuario de la Virgen de las Nubes,” or “La Catedral de Azogues”. This sanctuary is located at the top of a hill that oversees the city Azogues, Ecuador. This impressive church is a good example of Ecuadorian architecture. The plaza located nearby ... Read more
Sanctuary of the Virgen del Rocio is a beautiful place located in the town of Biblian, in the province of Cañar, Ecuador. Church has a gothic style, built on the top of a hill with uneven slopes. The Sanctuary of the Virgen del Rocio was carved into rocks that leave areas of bare rock within ... Read more
Spanish colonists built Ecuador’s oldest churches during the 16th century. Their religious influence persists to this day, and some of Ecuador’s grandest cathedrals were built as late as the 20th century. Here are some of the churches and monasteries that are well worth a visit during a trip to Ecuador.
Sanctuary of the Virgen del Guayco or Virgen de la Quebrada is located in La Magdalena, 2 mi. (5 km.) of the Chimbo canton in the province of Bolívar, Ecuador. This sanctuary is one of the most visited places by Catholic devotees throughout the country and those who do religious tourism. The Sanctuary of the Virgen … Read more
In Otavalo, there are two cemeteries. One is for mestizos, people of mixed European and Andean ancestry. The other is for families with native ties going back generations. In the former, visits to graves are very formal and somber. But in the indigenous cemetery, families keep more tied traditions. In general, the indigenous cemetery (Samasunchic) … Read more
Balbanera is the oldest Catholic church in Ecuador, built by the Spaniards in 1534. The Balbanera church is located in Cajabamba town, 11 mi. (18 km.) from Riobamba near the Colta lake. The church is built with stones, its arched entryway features low pillars, cherubs, and rough religious imagery. Also worth noting are what appear to be … Read more
Loma de Quito church is located on the top of the “Hill of Quito” in Riobamba, Ecuador. Its construction highlights its domes and interior paintings. It serves as a congregation site for thousands of participants in the traditional passes of El Nino, Holy Week, and Holy Tuesday. This beautiful church is one of the most … Read more
San Pedro Cathedral is located in front of the Plaza Mayor (Parque Maldonado) in Riobamba, Ecuador. It is also known as Riobamba Cathedral. Built-in white limestone contains reliefs that are present in the original Spanish expressions, scenes from the Old and New Testaments and religious iconography.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, “Basilica Sagrado Corazon de Jesus” in Spanish, is a colonial church located in the city of Riobamba, Ecuador. The Basilica is located inside the San Felipe Neri school, in front of the Libertad Park. Its construction began in 1883, it was inaugurated in 1915. The Basilica of the … Read more
Basilica del Voto Nacional is a Roman Catholic church located in the neighborhood of San Juan, between Carchi and Venezuela streets. This is in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador. Voto Nacional means “National Vow”. This Basilica is considered to be the best example of Neogothic Ecuadorian architecture. This massive Gothic church is 377 ft. (140 … Read more
Santa Ana Hill is Guayaquil’s only hillside. This is the place where the city was first founded. From the top of the Santa Ana Hill, you can see fantastic views of the city, the surrounding wetlands, and the Guayas river. There are some additional stairs to the El Fortin lookout. A lighthouse where you can appreciate … Read more
The New Cathedral of Cuenca or “The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception” is one of the most visited spots in Cuenca. The New Cathedral of Cuenca is located in front of the Central Plaza in the Parque Calderon. This cathedral is regarded as a symbol of religious architecture in the city. The building has a large … Read more
Sanctuary Our Lady of the Cloud also known as “San Francisco Church,” in Spanish “Santuario de la Virgen de las Nubes,” or “La Catedral de Azogues”. This sanctuary is located at the top of a hill that oversees the city Azogues, Ecuador. This impressive church is a good example of Ecuadorian architecture. The plaza located nearby … Read more
Sanctuary of the Virgen del Rocio is a beautiful place located in the town of Biblian, in the province of Cañar, Ecuador. Church has a gothic style, built on the top of a hill with uneven slopes. The Sanctuary of the Virgen del Rocio was carved into rocks that leave areas of bare rock within … Read more
The Old Cathedral of Cuenca, or “El Sagrario” church, was built in 1557. It is located in the heart of Cuenca, Ecuador. In the downtown area, across the plaza from the new cathedral. The Old Cathedral of Cuenca was the main place of worship during the Spanish colonization, over the years, the Old Cathedral became … Read more
