Santo Domingo Church and Square, Quito
The Church of Santo Domingo is a must-visit attraction for those who appreciate religious architecture and history. Located in the historic center of Quito, the church and its accompanying convent and chapels occupy a large space facing the Plaza de Santo Domingo. The plaza is named after the church, which is one of the most important in Quito.
The church's interior is richly decorated, with cedar work covered in gold leaf and many paintings and carvings adorning the walls. The main altar is especially impressive, and there are ten side chapels that add to the splendor of the interior. The Chapel of the Virgen del Rosario is particularly noteworthy, but visitors should also take the time to explore the other chapels and appreciate the cultural significance of the temple.
The Cloister is another highlight of the complex, with its elegant corridors and bays adorned with double arches and octagonal pillars. It was designed by brother Antonio Rodr铆guez, based on the plans of Francisco Becerra.
The Chapel del Rosario is the richest and most famous of the church's chapels. It is located on the south side of the transept and is built on three different levels. From this chapel, visitors can see the Arch of Santo Domingo, which was built to overcome an unevenness in the land and features cone-shaped buttresses that resemble lookout posts.
The Plaza de Santo Domingo is a lovely open space in front of the church. At the center of the plaza, there is a monument to Marshal Antonio Jos茅 de Sucre, a Venezuelan hero of the Independence. Around the plaza, visitors can also find important civil buildings, such as the old Colonial University of Santo Tom谩s de Aquino and the mansion of former president Gabriel Garc铆a Moreno.
The plaza has undergone several transformations over the years, from a simple esplanade to a park and then a bus station. Today, it is paved with stone and offers visitors a quiet place to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings.
The church's interior is richly decorated, with cedar work covered in gold leaf and many paintings and carvings adorning the walls. The main altar is especially impressive, and there are ten side chapels that add to the splendor of the interior. The Chapel of the Virgen del Rosario is particularly noteworthy, but visitors should also take the time to explore the other chapels and appreciate the cultural significance of the temple.
The Cloister is another highlight of the complex, with its elegant corridors and bays adorned with double arches and octagonal pillars. It was designed by brother Antonio Rodr铆guez, based on the plans of Francisco Becerra.
The Chapel del Rosario is the richest and most famous of the church's chapels. It is located on the south side of the transept and is built on three different levels. From this chapel, visitors can see the Arch of Santo Domingo, which was built to overcome an unevenness in the land and features cone-shaped buttresses that resemble lookout posts.
The Plaza de Santo Domingo is a lovely open space in front of the church. At the center of the plaza, there is a monument to Marshal Antonio Jos茅 de Sucre, a Venezuelan hero of the Independence. Around the plaza, visitors can also find important civil buildings, such as the old Colonial University of Santo Tom谩s de Aquino and the mansion of former president Gabriel Garc铆a Moreno.
The plaza has undergone several transformations over the years, from a simple esplanade to a park and then a bus station. Today, it is paved with stone and offers visitors a quiet place to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Quito. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Santo Domingo Church and Square on Map
Sight Name: Santo Domingo Church and Square
Sight Location: Quito, Ecuador (See walking tours in Quito)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Quito, Ecuador (See walking tours in Quito)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Quito, Ecuador
Create Your Own Walk in Quito
Creating your own self-guided walk in Quito is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Quito Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled high in the Andean foothills, at an altitude of 2,850m, Ecuador's capital Quito is deservedly nicknamed "The City in the Clouds". Its full formal title, however, is much longer: "The Very Noble and Loyal City of San Francisco of Quito". The name Quito is derived from the Quitu tribe that originally inhabited the area, and is a combination of two words: quitso... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings Tour
As a former Spanish colony, Ecuador and its capital city Quito are home to literally dozens of Catholic churches. The Spaniards brought their faith into the new country and built many great temples here, some of which even pre-date the city of Quito itself.
Among the key local landmarks of ecclesiastical architecture is the Santo Domingo Church, dating back to the 16th century and showcasing a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Among the key local landmarks of ecclesiastical architecture is the Santo Domingo Church, dating back to the 16th century and showcasing a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles