PLAZA DE SAN FRANSISCO

The Plaza San Francisco is a small, charming square that houses the church of the same name, the first stone of which was laid in 1564 and which was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1749; here one can see the statue erected in honour of Captain Alonso de Mercadillo, founder of the city of Loja (1548). Mercadillo, who was born in Loja in the province of Granada (Spain), wanted to establish a city for Spaniards only in order to guarantee their safety. Around the square, you can find clothes shops, call centres, pharmacies and the Casa de la Cultura