World Heritage

The First City Named a World Heritage Site

Nestled deep within the valley of towering Andean volcanoes, at 2,800m (around 10,000 feet) above sea level, Quito’s spectacular old town extends over 320 hectares – the largest historic centre in the Americas. Host to 40 churches and chapels, 16 convents and monasteries with their respective cloisters, 17 plazas, 12 chapter rooms and refectories, 12 museums and countless courtyards, Quito’s historical heritage is only equalled by the energy and vibrancy of its thousands of residents.

Quito is truly an asset to the history of America: the great majority of its buildings have withstood the trials of nature and the tribulations of Man. The city’s diverse cultures have generated a treasure trove of artistic, cultural and historic wealth, safe-guarded down the centuries to the present. UNESCO recognised this fact in November 1978 when it declared Quito the first World Heritage Site. The declaration states: “Quito forms a harmonious ensemble sui generis, where the actions of man and of nature are brought together to create a work unique and transcendent of its kind.”

Twenty-five years on, Quito’s authorities celebrated its World Heritage nomination by transforming the Old Town, reclaiming its elegant public spaces, its grandeur and its legacy. New museums have been inaugurated, cultural centres opened up, mansions restored, hotels, restaurants and cafés launched, safety improved, traffic regulated. The capital’s heart beats with renewed vigour, cultural life and pride, as citizens and visitors alike enjoy its unique attractions. The jewel in Ecuador’s crown today shines brighter than ever before.

You can find out more about Quito’s listing at the UNESCO website here:
http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=2

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Quito's nomination, we have put together a list of "unmissable" sights and experiences within the city which no visitor should miss and which are emblematic of the Quito of 2008.

See the animation version here.