Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco

Quito


Construction of the convent, the city’s largest colonial structure, began only a few weeks after the Spanish establishment of Quito in 1534, but wasn't finished for another 70 years. Although much of the church has been rebuilt because of earthquake damage, some is original. The chapel of Señor Jesús del Gran Poder, to the right of the main altar, has original tile work. The main altar itself is a spectacular example of baroque carving, while the roof shows Moorish influences.

The founder was Franciscan missionary Joedco Ricke, credited with being the first man to sow wheat in Ecuador.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Quito attractions

1. Capilla de Cantuña

0.02 MILES

The Cantuña Chapel houses a small art collection from the Quito School. It’s shrouded in one of Quito’s most famous legends, that of the indigenous…

2. Museo Franciscano

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To the right of the Iglesia de San Francisco’s main entrance, and within the Convent of St Francis, this museum contains some of the church’s finest…

3. Plaza San Francisco

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Walking from the Old Town’s narrow colonial streets into this open plaza reveals one of the finest sights in all of Ecuador: a sweeping cobblestone plaza…

4. Casa del Alabado

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Housed in an elegant colonial-era home, this privately owned museum with contemporary displays showcases an impressive collection of pre-Columbian…

5. Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús

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Capped by green-and-gold domes, La Compañía de Jesús is Quito’s most ornate church and a standout among the baroque splendors of the Old Town. Free guided…

6. Casa Museo María Augusta Urrutía

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Of Quito’s house museums, this is the one not to miss: it’s a splendidly preserved, 19th-century home that was once the abode of the city’s best-loved…

7. Monasterio Museo del Carmen Alto

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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…

8. Museo Alberto Mena Caamaño

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Get a glimpse of Quito’s early colonial history through wax figures depicting the city's key events, including the massacre of August 2, 1810 when some…

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