La Compañía de Jesús
La Compañía de Jesús
La Compañía de Jesús (Calle Garcia Moreno y Sucre, Quito) – complete in 1765, this is Ecuador’s most ornate church – considered one of the most significant works of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America. Moorish influences are evident in the church’s interior. A sarcophagus with the remains of Ecuador’s patron saint (Mariana de Jesís de Paredes) can be found in the base of the central altar. Due to earthquakes in Quito, this church endured serious structure damage over the years. The original tower was destroyed by an earthquake in 1859 (rebuilt in 1865), yet to be destroyed again in 1868 (never to be rebuilt). Another earthquake in 1987 prompted rounds of reconstruction between that year and 2005. Admission: $2.00 Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm (weekdays), 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (Saturday), 12:30 pm – 4:15 pm (Sunday).