FONDATION DE QUITO

It is on December 6th that Quito celebrates its foundation in 1534, by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar (or Belalcázar). At the time, the Inca Empire was in the grip of a cruel power struggle between Atahualpa and his brother Huascar. The first defended his hegemony from Quito while the second was based in Cuzco (in present-day Peru). Huascar, humiliated in battle, accepted death and Atahualpa, victorious, agreed to meet with the Spaniards who murdered him. Benalcazar who arrived from the south in search of Atahualpa's treasure took over the city.