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The Basílica del Voto Nacional
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The Basílica del Voto Nacional, which took over one hundred years to build (the first stone was laid on July 10th, 1892), is one of the last great displays of ideology and partisanship by the Catholic church in the Ecuadorian capital.
Father Julio María Matovelle pushed for the construction, for which swathes of land were purchased on San Juan Hill, and today it dominates the city and the historic centre. The project was contracted out in France to architect Emilio Tarlier, who, inspired by the cathedral in Bourges, drew up the plans between 1890 and 1896.
From practically any corner of the city the largest gothic basilica in Ecuador and all Latin America is visible. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the city, adorned with gargoyles inspired by the country’s fauna such as armadillos, iguanas, Galapagos tortoises etc.
If you are not afraid of heights and would like to take delight in one of the best panoramas of both old and new Quito, climb the stairs of the main tower. Each section offers picture-postcard views of a city in continual growth. And from a height of 117 metres it affords you a view of the whole city. Thankfully, there’s also a lift!
The Basílica is a great place to start a walking tour of the city, since you get a near-bird’s eye view of the Old Town which you then descend to explore.
Father Julio María Matovelle pushed for the construction, for which swathes of land were purchased on San Juan Hill, and today it dominates the city and the historic centre. The project was contracted out in France to architect Emilio Tarlier, who, inspired by the cathedral in Bourges, drew up the plans between 1890 and 1896.
From practically any corner of the city the largest gothic basilica in Ecuador and all Latin America is visible. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the city, adorned with gargoyles inspired by the country’s fauna such as armadillos, iguanas, Galapagos tortoises etc.
If you are not afraid of heights and would like to take delight in one of the best panoramas of both old and new Quito, climb the stairs of the main tower. Each section offers picture-postcard views of a city in continual growth. And from a height of 117 metres it affords you a view of the whole city. Thankfully, there’s also a lift!
The Basílica is a great place to start a walking tour of the city, since you get a near-bird’s eye view of the Old Town which you then descend to explore.
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