Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito

Ecuador's city of Quito is well-known for its impressive architectural heritage. Visitors strolling through the city will discover elaborately designed and masterfully built churches and cathedrals housing some of Ecuador’s exquisite works of art, carved images and golden altars. One of the greatest of these is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito which is located in the Independence Plaza, also known as Plaza Grand. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito a Roman Catholic Church is one of the oldest temples in South America.

Construction on the Metropolitan Cathedral began in 1562, with various additions and renovations being made after damage from volcanos and earthquakes it finally stood completed in 1806. A fine historical example of past architectural styles, its construction features styles such as Baroque, Mudejar, Rococo, neo-Gothic, neo-classical, and even Moorish. The arches feature late Gothic design, while the main altar is more Baroque in nature. Notably, the choir area is Neoclassic and the ceilings boast Moorish styling.

It also has an important collection of artworks such as The Shroud, one of the most intense work by Caspicara, The Death of the Virgin by Miguel de Santiago, and The Denial of St. Peter, among other important colonial paintings.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito is the resting place of many well-known people. This includes the tomb of Mariscal Sucre, Antonio Jose de Sucre, who was instrumental in the fight for South American’s independence from Spain. Mariscal Sucre was killed on June 4, 1830 and finally laid to rest in the Cathedral on June 4, 1900. Also buried here is Cardinal de la Torre, who became the first Roman Catholic bishop in Ecuador to be promoted to cardinal, he died in 1968.