Foto: The Jesuit church of Quito (bron: Philip Greenspun / Rene en Jaqueline)

Ecuador - Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient Inca city. The city lies at an altitude of 2,850 meters. Despite the severe earthquake in 1917, the city has been well preserved, especially the historic center. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo and the Church and Jesuit college of La Compañía with their rich interiors are pure examples of the “Baroque school of Quito.” This architecture is a mix of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish, and indigenous art. The city is largely laid out in rectangular plazas. The streets are aligned with the cardinal points of the compass. The houses of Quito are mainly built in the old Spanish or Moorish style. Sun-dried bricks are used as building material. The better houses are finished with stucco. Public buildings are also in Spanish style. On the main square lie the cathedral, the government palace, the archbishop’s palace, and the town hall. The most beautiful building in the city is the Jesuit church. The church’s facade is covered with elaborate carvings.

Galápagos Islands

Ecuador - The Galápagos Islands (commonly called Galapagos, Spanish: Islas Galápagos, officially Archipiélago de Colón) are a scattered group of islands located on the equator in the Pacific Ocean. Politically, they belong to Ecuador, but they lie in open sea ...

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