City of Quito, Ecuador

Cathedral of Quito, Ecuador
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catedral_metropolitana_Quito.jpg
Author: putneymark


City of Quito has a historic core that stands as one of the best preserved and least altered in Latin America. This city in the Andes was built over ancient Inca ruins during the 16th century. It still retains many of the historic buildings, despite the many earthquakes that it has experienced.

There are many heritage churches in Quito's historic district. Among them includes the Cathedral of Quito, the Church of the Society of Jesus, the Church and Convent of St Francis, the Church and Convent of St Dominic, the Church and Convent of La Merced and the Basilica del Voto Nacional.

In 1978 Quito became the first city to be inscribed as a World Heritage Site. This took place during the 2nd session of the World Heritage Committee which took place in Washington, D.C., USA on 5-8 September, 1978.

Church of the Society of Jesus, Quito
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iglesia_de_la_Compania,_Quito_2.jpg
Author: putneymark


Church of San Francisco, Quito
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iglesia_de_San_Francisco,_Quito_Ecuador.jpg
Author: putneymark


Church of St Dominic, Quito
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iglesia_de_Santo_Domingo,_Quito_-_1.jpg
Author: Maros M r a z


Convent of La Merced, Quito
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Merced_claustro_1.JPG
Author: Mac Figueras

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 0 0 14 W 78 30 0
Inscription Year: 1978
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, IV

Visiting City of Quito

Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO) is the airport for Quito. It is located 8 km from the city center. (A new international airport is under construction but is not ready at time of writing, Apr 2010). Note that as of December 2009, passengers departing the airport has to pay an airport tax of US$40.80 in cash.

From the airport you can take a taxi to downtown for just US$5.00. The main tourist part of Quito is Mariscal, often referred to as "Gringolandia" or "La Zona". The bus there costs US$0.25.

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