BASÍLICA DEL VOTO NACIONAL

The construction of the Basílica del Voto Nacional began in 1882 and it is still not finished... According to the legend, when it is finished, a cataclysm will strike the city of Quito! Today, this basilica is the largest gothic construction in Ecuador, and even in the whole of Latin America. The building is decorated with incredible gargoyles inspired by the fauna of the country and the Galapagos: iguanas, armadillos, turtles, monkeys, pumas. If you go to visit it, don't forget to climb to the top of the towers. The organization is not the best since you will certainly have to wait a few minutes before being able to go up, but from up there, life is impressive; you can see the whole valley, from modern Quito to colonial Quito up to the Panecillo hill. After a passage on a footbridge above the nave, you have to climb narrow metal ladders. Those who are afraid of heights should not do so! It is a difficult climb for the elderly or small children, but it promises a breathtaking spectacle. To recover from your emotions, you can refresh yourself in the Basilica's café and do some shopping in the craft shop. One of the most classic photos of the colonial city is to be taken from the top of the spire, where the Virgin of Quito (Virgen del Panecillo) is framed between the two towers of the basilica, a must for lovers of tourist photography.