Be an Expert in Quito
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BE AN EXPERT IN QUITO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO THE WEBINAR ALL YOU NEED IS ECUADOR 1 GENERAL CONTENTS 1. The City of Quito Location on the world map Essential information Quito, the city, its origins & history City recognitions 2. Quito Urban Area Old Quito or Oldtown La Mariscal & Floresta Financial District The Middle of the World 3. Quito for Special Interests Culture & entertainment Parks & green spaces Kids & families Archaeology Shopping in the city Nightlife & events Congresses & Conventions 4. Infrastructure & Services in the City Accommodation Gastronomy Air transportation Transport in Quito Directory of services 5. Suggested itineraries and routes to visit the city 4 days in the city Special Interests routes 6. Quito surroundings and connectivity with other attractions and destinations in Ecuador. Mountains & Snow-capped volcanoes Rainforest Indian Markets Papallacta and thermal baths Amazon Guayaquil & Cuenca Galapagos Islands 2 THE CITY OF QUITO LOCATION IN THE WORLD MAP Quito is located close to the 0° latitude in the inter-Andean valley; it’s surrounded by spectacular mountains and snow-capped volcanoes. ESSENTIAL INFORMATION Capital of Ecuador Population: 2’500,000 Est. Elevation: between 2.800 m.a.s.l. (9.186 ft.) to 3.100 m.a.s.l. (10.170 ft.) in the highest districts Mild climate with average temperatures from 10° C (50° F) to 27 °C (80.6° F) QUITO, THE CITY, ITS ORIGINS & HISTORY Archeological remains Archaeological investigations show that in the area of “El Inga” -a farm located near the Ilaló hill- nomadic peoples lived around 10300 BC; they survived on hunting, fishing and food gathering. These are the first life traces not only in Quito but in Ecuador as a whole. Since then, and over time, the area where nowadays lies Quito, was inhabited by people and cultures that left not only archaeological remains but their mark through the names of places and neighborhoods that bear their name even to our times, such as: Florida, Cotocollao, Rumipamba, among others. 3 Spanish Colonization (1534-1809) When the Spanish conquistadores arrived to the “Tahuantinsuyo” in the current area of Quito, the Inca Empire was immersed in a civil war caused by the struggle for power between Atahualpa and his brother Huáscar. The first one defended its hegemony from Quito, and the second one from Cuzco. Spaniards sought Quito area because the rumors said that they would find Atahualpa treasure here, so they formed 2 expeditions: the first one coming from the south under Sebastián de Benalcázar command, who arrived to Quito in 1534. With his arrival the Spanish foundation of the city took place. From this date on, the city started a 300 years of colonial period which left a great mark and legacy through an important number of buildings that are part of the current charm and appeal of Quito’s historic centre. Many landmarks were built on this time especially buildings and churches part of the religious communities that made Quito their home such as San Francisco, Santo Domingo, San Agustín, La Compañía, among others, complementing the paintings artwork and sculpture of the renowned “Escuela Quieña” or Quito Art’s School. Another interesting fact of this period worth to mention is the arrival of the French- geodesic mission, which arrived in 1736 to make field research work and measurements that confirmed the theory that Quito lies in the Middle of the World, this is on the Latitude 0°0’0’’. Independence (1809-1822) On August the 9th 1809, a group of well-educated Creole people met in Manuela Cañizares’ house. On August the 10th 1809, an Act was signed, ceasing on his duties the -at that time- President of the Royal Audience of Quito, the Conde Ruiz de Castilla. Due to diverse circumstances, this fact was reversed and in retaliation, on August the 2nd 1810 around 300 “Quiteños” were killed in the barracks of the city (current historical wax museum). The independence process arrived to its end on May the 24th 1822 when the Spanish royal army was defeated by the local freedom fighters under the command of the Marshal Antonio José de Sucre. As a memento of this memorable date, until now, the Presidential guard keeps the same uniforms as the ones used in the Battle of Pichincha. Quito & The Gran Colombia (1822-1830) On June 1822, the liberator Simón Bolívar arrived to Quito to annex the territories of the former “Real Audiencia de Quito” to the Republic of “Gran Colombia”, at that time made up of the current territories of Colombia, Ecuador, Panamá and Venezuela with Bogota as its capital city. Quito then becomes the southern department. The early days of the Republic (1830-1985) In 1830 the Republic of Ecuador is created with the Venezuelan Juan José Flores as its first President, since then, Quito is the capital of the country. As some important events of the City’s development through history worth to mention are: In 1908 the Steam train arrives for the first time to the Chimbacalle Station. For 34 years the Quito Tramways Company operated tramways in two services: Chimbacalle station to San Diego cemetery; and, Chimbacalle station to Colón Avenue. 4 In 1960 Mariscal Sucre International airport start its operations On September the 8th 1978, Quito was declared by UNESCO as the first World Heritage City. The 21st Century City At the time, Quito is a city that develops at the globalization pace, in terms of technology as well as in infrastructure, transport, services…, nowadays, is a metropolis that offers its visitors everything they need for a great experience. In relation to milestones dates, as described the previous paragraph and in relation to the city’s projection to the future the following recent events can be mentioned: In mid-2013, the train links once again the cities of Quito and Guayaquil through the “Tren Crucero” circuit starting from Chimbacalle station. At the beginning of 2013 starts the construction of the first Metro line that will cover a distance of 23 km (14,5 miles) north - South. On February 2013 the brand-new Mariscal Sucre International Airport opens its doors. Two years in a row, 2013 and 2014 Quito is recognized as the South America’s leading destination in the “World Travel Awards”. Plaza de San Francisco 1875 Plaza de San Francisco 2013 CITY RECOGNITIONS Over the years, the city of Quito has been recognized in several fields, ranging from culture, politics, architecture and tourism among others; some of its major recognitions are: First World Heritage Site, UNESCO, 1978. Latin-American Culture Capital, UCCI, 2004 Permanent Headquarters of the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR, since 2010 American Capital of Culture, IBOCC, 2011 Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice 2012 – 2013 – 2014 World Travel Awards, South America’s Leading Destination 2013 & 2014 Finalist of the New 7 Wonder Cities contest 5 URBAN AREA Quito’s urban area grows and spreads along the mountains and volcano complex well-known as the “Pichinchas”, making of Quito an elongated City in North – South direction (40 km / 24,8 miles approximately) and narrow in East – West sense (on average 8 km /4,9 miles) In the urban area of the City there are diverse neighborhoods and districts, among which the main touristic zones are identified as follows: the Old Town, La Mariscal & La Floresta districts and the financial center. City Tourist areas: Old Quito or Oldtown La Mariscal & Floresta Financial District 6 CITY TOURIST AREAS OLD QUITO OR OLDTOWN Quito’s Old town with 375,2 Hectares (9 acres) or 3,75 Km2, is America’s largest and best preserved Colonial Old Town; it features more than 130 monumental buildings and a great amount of religious buildings that give to the city the nickname of “The Cloister of America”, since it contains more than 60 Churches, Chapels, Monasteries, Convents & Chapter rooms and more than 10 major squares of the Colonial time Among the most relevant places to Oldtown visit are: Plaza Grande & La Catedral Also known as Independence Square, this place can be considered the center of the city and starting point to discover the Historical Center of Quito. In the middle of this square you’ll find the Monument to the Independence and in its surroundings the main powers of the State represented by the Presidential Palace, the City hall, the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace are found. Iglesia de la Compañía 160 years lasted the construction of this church (1.605-1.765); considered the best example of the Baroque style in Quito. Its impressive facade carved in stone is the entrance to its extraordinary interior decorated with a great work of gold leaf. Iglesia & Plaza de San Francisco Complex made up of a wide stone square, an easily recognizable church due to its twin towers and the convent that hosts a museum of religious art of great value. The construction of this architectonic complex initiated in 1.536, this is, only 2 years after the city’s foundation. Boulevard 24 de Mayo Avenue built at the beginning of the 20th century, this point was considered the southern city limit. It was re-inaugurated as a Boulevard; its 4 old squares have been recovered. This avenue is now linked to other old town sites of interest such as La Ronda Street and San Francisco church and square. Pasaje Espejo & Plaza Chica This traditional Pedestrian Street follows a west – east direction. Located few meters away from Quito’s Main Square, this Street passes by very interesting places like the “Small Square” and the Theater Bolivar besides of featuring an excellent offer of places to eat. 7 Barrio de San Marcos This is one of the traditional neighborhoods of Quito’s old town that still keeps its original personality and the calm of the ancient times.