Church of San Francisco

San Francisco de Quito Church

In the city of Quito, has an architectural beauty as is the Church and Convent of San Francisco is an impressive monument of the Franciscan heritage of Quito. The site consists of a temple, several chapels and a convent. The 16th century complex encompasses almost two blocks from Quito's Historic Center. The foundations were laid shortly after the Spanish conquistadors founded the city. Explore this enormous historical monument and discover the church's 13 cloisters, elaborate Mudejar-style designs and a vast art collection.

Church San Francisco treasures great variety of artistic manifestations that are realized with different techniques, the one that more stands out is the Quiteña School that arises in this place. It has been counted that San Francisco has 3.500 artistic pieces of the colonial epoch. It has an extraordinary Franciscan library, with great cultural wealth.

San Francisco Church Ecuador

Architecture Church of San Francisco

• Walk to the church from Plaza de San Francisco and note the Renaissance and Mannerist styles of the building on its impressive façade with two towers. The square is built on a hillside, which archaeologists discovered was because the construction of the complex was done on an Inca temple. Take a look at the unusually wide stairs leading to the church. It is said that the stairs were designed this way so that visitors would have to see where they were stepping and incline their heads naturally as they approached the church of San Francisco de Quito.
• Inca representations of the sun, which were intended to encourage the Indians to visit the church. This mixture of indigenous and catholic iconography is found throughout the interior of the church. Look at the magnificent Mudejar style ceilings that contrast with the baroque details of the chapels, nave and golden altar.
• The church has 3,500 works of art from the San Francisco collection. Some of the works are representative of the Quito School of Art, among which is the celebrated Virgen de Quito, an 18th century sculpture and icon of the city. The extensive library of the church and a courtyard full of light. The catacombs of the church, which have been transformed into a regional craft store.
• We are in the Convento Máximo de la Conversión de San Pablo, he says, better known as Convento de San Francisco de Quito. Here is the Pedro Gocial Museum. There are about 4,500 works of art including paintings, sculptures, altarpieces and coffered ceilings.
• In the church of the convent, where there is now a cross, was built the first chapel where the Spaniards went to pray, was a small hut of straw and adobe, while for the Indians was built a chapel next to this, dedicated to the Virgin of Dolores, is now known as the Chapel of Cantuña.
• On Sundays masses are celebrated at different times.

Legend of Cantuña

Legend has it that the Franciscans hired Cantuña to build the Atrium of San Francisco. In the contract it stipulated a clause in which it determined a term to do it. The latter, not being able to finish the work in the agreed time, asked the Demon for help, offering his soul in exchange. He said: "I give you my soul if you place each stone in its place until dawn. That was the deal.

Cantuña, very astute, hid a stone under her poncho. The next day when the Devil demanded the fulfillment of the contract because the work was finished, he could not, because a stone was missing. Therefore, the pact was annulled