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Gary Donaldson Photography +

Exploring the Intersection of Photography, Nature, and Travel

The Historic Center of Quito, Ecuador

Panecillo and the Virgin rise above the historic center of Quito, Ecuador

Words and photos by Gary Donaldson

From a balcony of the great Basilica, the city rises toward El Panecillo. Here the Virgin overlooks the historic center of Quito, and beyond. At nearly 9,400 feet, Ecuador’s capital sits higher than any other capital in the world. Yet this modest hill carries a presence far beyond its scale for the residents of this city atop the Andes.

Basílica del Voto Nacional

The Basílica del Voto National in Quito. Panecillo and the statue of the Virgin is in the background

Framed by the twin towers of the Basílica del Voto Nacional, Quito extends outward beneath a heavy sky. Beyond the cathedral, El Panecillo rises at the city’s center, where the Virgin stands in the distance. Two religious presences of Quito held within a single frame.

A quiet procession beneath stone and light—two figures walk the central aisle of Quito’s great cathedral, dwarfed by soaring arches and stained glass that lifts the eye toward the heavens.

A solemn procession. Two figures walk the central aisle of Quito’s iconic cathedral. Soaring symmetrical arches and stained glass windows lift the eye toward the heavens, just as the original architect designed.

A street in the historic district of Quito with the Basílica del Voto National in the distance

A rain-darkened street leads our eye through Quito’s historic center, where the twin towers of the Basílica del Voto Nacional beckon at the far end.

Domes of the Church La Compañía

A quiet plaza under gathering clouds—the fountain anchors the square as the tiled dome of La Compañía rises beyond, catching a brief break of light above Quito’s historic heart.

A fountain anchors the plaza of San Francisco. The tiled domes of La Compañía rise a block beyond as afternoon rain clouds gather.

Inside the Church of La Campañía de Jesus

Inside the Catholic Church, La Compañía, a rich ornamentation of gold sheeting and a starry dome is on display in the baroque architectural style. Pope John Paul II presided over mass here in 1985. Pope Francis stopped to pray here in a visit to Ecuador in 2015.

The Plaza of San Francisco

The plaza of San Francisco at night. The Panecillo and the Virgin Mary light up the background

During the day, the historic center of Quito is bustling with people moving with intention. However, as night settles on the city, people gather on the plaza to rest, visit, and enjoy the best of what Quito has to offer. Like shops offering rich Ecuadorian coffee and world-famous local chocolates and ice cream. I took this photo from the second story balcony of such a shop. I enjoyed this view nearly every evening during my stay in Quito. 😁

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5 responses to “The Historic Center of Quito, Ecuador”

  1. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I really like the interior dome photo . Looking up into the starry sky is like contemplating infinity. It must inspire awe and was certainly meant to inspire faith . The conquest of the Americas was anything but kind and loving , Catholicism was forced upon the Native population.

    Reply
    1. Gary Donaldson Avatar
      Gary Donaldson

      Thank you so much for your comment and input! this is exactly the kind of exchange I hoped this website would encourage.
      It’s certainly true that the arrival of the Spanish in the Americas brought immense suffering, brutality, coercion, and cultural upheaval. And yes, the Catholic Church was complicit with the conquering forces. At the same time, one of the things that struck me during my time in Quito’s historic center was how nuanced the story becomes over time. In particular, I learned while speaking to guides and tours of the cathedrals that the indigenous beliefs didn’t just disappear. Instead, they were woven into the Catholic practices in many ways. This was evident in the art, religious symbolism, and how local festivals are celebrated with traditional indigenous characters. I was especially interested to learn that many of the iconic religious paintings and sculptures in these churches were actually created by indigenous and local artists themselves. In some cases, these works were even sent back to Spain. I had to pause for a moment at learning this. There’s something deeper here. What is it? Is it that the indigenous of Ecuador was creating the artistic narrative that was flowing back to Spain? Through my travels and curiosity, I’ve learned there exists an indigenous cultural resilience throughout the “Spanish Americas.”

      Reply
  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Hey Gary! Hope you’re doing great 😊 I really loved your photo, they’re all awesome! So glad you enjoyed your time in Ecuador. Hope you can come back soon, explore more places, and have even more cool experiences.
    Big hug to you and your family!
    – Marlon

    Reply
    1. Gary Donaldson Avatar
      Gary Donaldson

      Thank you, Marlon! My time with you and James will be unforgettable. Nowhere in the program does it say that a traveler will find himself/herself sitting in a car singing karaoke at the top of their lungs with the guide and driver on a rainy night in Mindo. So surreal! So special! You became so much more than my guide and James became so much more than our driver. We became friends! I will never forget our trip to Mindo, and I will never forget our evenings enjoying Pacari ice cream overlooking the San Fransisco Plaza in the historic center of Quito after a great day of adventuring.

      Reply
      1. Avatar
        Anonymous

        Thank you for coming to Ecuador, and you are an amazing photographer. One of the most fun and incredible tours I’ve ever had, all thanks to you too, my friend.

        Reply

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