Loja tourism

Loja

"Cradle of art, lyrics and music"

Also known as the "Botanical Garden of Ecuador" for the rare, interesting and high biodiversity it possesses.

Loja, is the capital of the Province of Loja, is located to the south east of the province, is also considered a good example for Ecuador, because in its parks and streets the common denominator is order and cleanliness.

Loja Ecuador

Sightseeing of the city of Loja

• Plaza San Sebastián: Without a doubt, it is one of the most attractive elements of Loja. In the centre of this square there is a 32 m high tower.
• Lagunas del Compadre: In Podocarpus National Park you can find the famous Lagunas del Compadre of incredible scenic value that is the result of ancient glaciers.
• Jipiro Park: In avocado means place of rest, is a cultural and recreational park for children, is one of the most important recreation centers of Loja.
• Loja Cathedral: The Cathedral Church was the first matrix, built of stone and adobe in the sixteenth century according to Juan de Salinas.
• Sanctuary of El Cisne: It is a Catholic temple located in the parish of El Cisne. Inside, the image of the Virgin of El Cisne is venerated. Located 70 km from Loja

Loja Canton

Loja Climate

Loja's climate is sub-humid temperate-equatorial. With an average temperature of 16 °C. In June and July, an eastern drizzle comes with trade winds, and is known as the "wind season". The cooler months fluctuate between June and September, with July being the coldest month.

Gastronomy of Loja, the Musical and Cultural Capital of Ecuador

• Cecina: this is an old typical dish from the province of Loja. Cecina is pork filleted, seasoned with salt, garlic and pepper, dried in the sun and finally grilled. It is served with yucca, mote and a tanned onion and tomato.
• cuyada hen: called cuyada thanks to a myth that arose in the Lolita hall, a client was the one who said that this hen had guinea pig flavor saying that it is prepared with the condiments of this one, but doña Lolita clarifies the doubt saying that it is not so, as much the hen as the guinea pig have their own condiments, simply both are roasted in the breaststroke or in coal. A guinea pig dish contains consommé accompanied by kangaroo and mote, homemade chili prepared with sambo peppers, three salads, rice, potatoes and clear chicken.
• Repe: It is a creamy soup elaborated with dried peas, green guineo, onion, garlic, milk, quesillo or cheese and finely chopped coriander. It is usually accompanied with avocado.
• The skewers of La Siembra: The skewers are meat skewers and the skewers of La Siembra have always been my favorites. Aside from serving these delicious pinchos, marinated in a secret sauce, they also serve an excellent selection of grilled meats, cold beer jugs, and also have live music on weekends.
• Other foods: guinea pig roasted with potatoes, fritada, peppers, quesadillas, humitas, wind empanadas, among others.

Typical drinks of Loja

    Horchata: Formerly known as water to cure, is an infusion made with 22 herbs and medicinal flowers, once prepared is sweetened and adds a few drops of lemon. It is the only traditional drink of Loja, and the complement to accompany it can be the aloe vera. Each of the 22 herbs used are attributed medicinal properties for specific diseases or ailments.

Loja Desserts

• Tamales lojanos: traditional product with great recognition in the province, is prepared with soaked dry corn, which is then ground and scrambled with lard and pork dressing, this dough is wrapped in achira leaf and filled with condumio of meat, chicken or pork.
• Honey with quesillo: Traditional dessert made with hot panela honey and tender quesillo.

Loja Culture and Traditions

Speaking about Loja and Our Lady of the Swan is to remember that from the colony the fame travelled from one to another confine of the province that to move to the Sanctuary of the Swan was extremely fatigued since the rough routes led to the abrupt edge of their steep rocks, called royal way. Therefore, the pilgrimages to the Swan, among beliefs, traditions and legends, continue to grow in the warmth of the beneficences, mercies and prodigies of Mary, therefore have been from very remote antiquity tender public and solemn religious manifestations with which people has externalised their devotion and trust with Mary; This prompted the Civil Chapter, on behalf of and in representation of Loja people, to go annually to the Sanctuary to celebrate this feast, agreeing unanimously to recognize the Blessed Virgin as the protective jury of Loja and its province.

• Feria de Integración Fronteriza - September 8. - Created by the Liberator Simón Bolívar, in 1 829 by means of Supreme Decree. On September 8 of each year the commerce, the industry, the crafts, the cultural creation of the towns of the north of Peru and of the south of Ecuador congregate.
• Day of the Province - September 18. - September 18 was declared a day of the province, in honor of the illustrious man of the province of Loja, Don Manuel Carrión Pinzano.

Loja Canton History

• 1546 - First foundation of Loja in the valley of Garrochamba (Catamayo Valley at present) with the name of La Zarza, under the order of General Gonzalo Pizarro.
• 1548 - December 8 - Second and definitive Spanish foundation by Alonso de Mercadillo in the valley of Cuxibamba ("happy plain"), under the order of Pedro de la Gasca, after having subdued Pizarro.
• 1820 - 18 November - Independence.
• 1897 - It is the first city in Ecuador to have electricity.

• 1899 - The electric lighting is inaugurated