Alausí facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alausí
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Town
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 Alausí
Location in Ecuador
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| Country |  Ecuador |
| Province | [[File:|22x20px|border |alt=|link=]] Chimborazo Province |
| Canton | Alausí Canton |
| Area | |
| • Town | 1.96 km2 (0.76 sq mi) |
| Population
(2022 census)
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| • Town | 6,071 |
| • Density | 3,097/km2 (8,022/sq mi) |
Alausí is a town in the Chimborazo province of Ecuador. It's famous for its old railway. In 2019, Ecuador's Ministry of Tourism called it a Magical Town because of its special charm.
Contents
History of Alausí
How Alausí Got Its Name
During the Spanish conquest of Ecuador, the town was first named San Pedro de Alausí. This name was given by Sebastián de Belalcázar. He named it after Saint Peter, whose feast day was when the town was founded. This was around the same time the city of Quito was founded. Later, Belalcázar officially established the town with the simpler name "Alausí".
Alausí's Role in Independence
Alausí was part of the Government of Quito. In 1810, when Quito began its fight for independence, Alausí supported the new government. They chose Captain José Antonio Pontón to represent them.
In 1811, Captain Pontón was a representative for Alausí Province. He signed an important document called the Carta de Estado de Quito in 1812. Because of the town's loyalty and bravery, its status was raised to "Villa" (a higher administrative rank). This was decided by Bishop Cuero y Caicedo.
Getting Around Alausí
Bus Travel
Alausí has a bus station where you can catch buses to many places in Ecuador. The bus station is near the train station, on 5 de Junio, which is the town's main street. Buses to smaller towns run often. For bigger cities like Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil, there are set schedules.
The Nariz del Diablo Train
Alausí is also where the famous Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose) train journey begins. This railway is an amazing engineering feat built in the Andes mountains. Building it was very difficult and dangerous for the workers involved.
Visiting Ingapirca Ruins
If you want to visit the Ingapirca ruins in Cañar, you can take a bus from Alausí. These ruins are about an hour and a half away from Cañar.
Exploring Alausí's Cityscape
Old Buildings and Architecture
Alausí is known for its beautiful old buildings. Many of its houses are more than 100 years old. They show the town's rich history.
Important Monuments
You can find several monuments in Alausí's parks and important spots. The most important one is the Monument to Saint Peter. Saint Peter is the town's patron saint. This large monument was built by Ecuadorian artist Eddie Crespo. It stands on Loma de Lluglli and can be seen from almost anywhere in the town.
La Matriz Church
The most important church in Alausí is "la Matriz." It is located in front of 13 November Park. This church was built in the 1700s. The stone used to build it came from the Chiripungo mines, which are about 2 kilometers outside the town.
Festivals in Alausí
Carnaval is a traditional festival in Alausí. It's celebrated with a special parade. Different neighborhoods and special guests take part in this parade.
Festival of San Pedro
The Festival of San Pedro is a very important celebration. It takes place from June 22 to July 2. This festival has been celebrated since the time of Spanish rule. It includes traditional dance, music, and folklore. These activities attract people from all over Ecuador and even international tourists.
See Also
In Spanish: Alausí para niños
