click highlighted hovered text for more info, see

Quito UNESCO world heritage sites

Convent of San Diego at Calicuchima and Farfan No. 117 | Plaza de San Diego
Overlooking the Old Town, this beautiful 17th-century Franciscan convent sits in a quiet courtyard behind thick walls. Inside, you’ll find outstanding colonial works from both the Quito and Cusco Schools, including one of Quito’s finest pulpits, carved by the notable indigenous wood-carver Juan Bautista Menacho. There’s also a fascinating 18th-century painting by Miguel de Santiago of the Last Supper. The oddest piece of work here is an unidentified painting by Hieronymus Bosch, titled Passage from this Life to Eternity: no one can explain how it got here. At the end of the tour, you can climb narrow stairs to the bell tower and walk along the rooftop.

Carmen Alto Monastery at Vicente Rocafuerte 1622
The Monasterio Museo del Carmen Alto, built in 1653 and still home to an order of 20 Carmelite nuns, now houses an interesting museum. Exhibits explore the daily routines of the nuns who made their lives here, including Marianita de Jesus (1618-1645), Quito's patron saint. The whitewashed two-story building surrounds a sun-filled inner courtyard, and several rooms contain emotive, religiously themed paintings.

Santo Domingo Church at Guayaquil S1-76
The church’s stately tower features Baroque architectural styling and a city clock. Inside the church, admire the neoclassical and Baroque altarpieces and Moorish-style details. Santo Domingo Church is well known for its awe-inspiring collection of art, located in the Lady of the Rosary chapel and the church museum. See magnificent works by noteworthy Quiteño artists, including carvings, reliefs and stunning frescos. Also on display is the famous sculpture of the Virgen del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary) and fine examples of artworks from the Quito School of Art.

Church of the Jesuits at Garcia Moreno N10-43
It is among the best-known churches in Quito because of its large central nave, which is profusely decorated with gold leaf, gilded plaster and wood carvings. Inspired by two Roman Jesuit churches, the Chiesa del Gesu (1580) and the Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola (1650), la Compania is one of the most significant works of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America. It is Quito's most ornate church and (according to some observers) the country's most beautiful.

Church of St Francis at Cuenca 477
The imposing structure has the distinction of being the largest architectural ensemble among the historical structures of colonial Latin America and for this reason is sometimes known as "El Escorial of the New World".

Church of our Lady of Mercy at Garcia Moreno N10-43
As you walk towards the building you will notice the massive white walls and the impressive tower of the La Merced Church. It is a most unique structure housing a huge bell. The most noticeable aspect of the entrance is the stone pillars that have been carefully carved with images.

San Agustin Square at Plaza San Agustin
City park.