Plaza Grande, Quito, Ecuador
Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito (Catedral Primada)
The primatial cathedral of Ecuador, a sixteenth-century church on the Plaza Grande in Quito's UNESCO-listed historic center.
Quito's cathedral faces the Plaza Grande in the heart of the old city, flanked by the presidential palace and the archbishop's residence. The original church on this site dates to 1535, making it one of the oldest cathedrals in South America. The present building, mostly from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, mixes Baroque, Moorish, and Neoclassical elements in a way that feels distinctly Ecuadorian. The interior is dim and devotional, with carved wooden altarpieces, colonial-era paintings, and a notable Descent from the Cross by the indigenous artist Caspicara. President Gabriel Garcia Moreno, who consecrated Ecuador to the Sacred Heart before being assassinated on the cathedral steps in 1875, is buried inside. The building carries real weight.
Diocese: Archdiocese of Quito
Style: Baroque-Moorish-Neoclassical
What to See
Caspicara's Descent from the Cross is the artistic highlight — the emotional realism of the figures is remarkable. The carved wooden altarpieces are elaborate and repay close attention. The plaque marking Garcia Moreno's assassination on the steps is a striking historical detail.
Pilgrim Notes
The cathedral is on the Plaza Grande in Quito's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The churches of La Compania and San Francisco are within walking distance and should not be missed. Quito sits at 9,350 feet — give yourself time to adjust.