Cathedral of Quito facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito Catedral Metropolitana de Quito
Religion
Affiliation	Catholic Church
Province	Province of Quito
Rite	Roman Rite
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Metropolitan cathedral
Leadership	Archbishop Fausto Trávez Trávez, O.F.M.
Year consecrated	1572
Location
Location	Quito, Ecuador
Architecture
Architect(s)	Antonio García (1807 arch)
Architectural type	Christian basilical church
Architectural style	Gothic-Mudéjar, Baroque, Neo-classical
Groundbreaking	1562
Completed	1565
Direction of façade	Northwest
Website
Website

The "Arch of Carondelet" entrance and its staircase.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito (Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana de Quito), often just called la Catedral, is a very important Catholic church in Quito, Ecuador. It stands on the southwest side of the Plaza de la Independencia, also known as La Plaza Grande. This cathedral has been a key religious center for a very long time.

It served as the main church for the Diocese of Quito starting in 1545. Later, in 1848, it became an even bigger church called the Archdiocese. In 1995, it was recognized as the Cathedral of Ecuador. This makes it the oldest Catholic church in the entire country.

What Makes the Quito Cathedral Special?

The Cathedral is a large, white church. It has a tall bell tower on the right side of its main entrance. The church was built with a special design. It has three long sections called naves. These sections are supported by semi-ogival arches resting on square pillars.

A Look at Its Unique Style

The Cathedral's design dates back to the 16th century. Experts say its style is a mix of Gothic and Mudéjar. You can see Gothic features in the pointed arches of its naves. There's also a special walkway called an ambulatory that goes around the main altar area, known as the presbytery.

The Mudéjar style comes from a mix of Christian and Islamic art. This can be seen in the detailed carvings and the unique coffered ceiling inside the Cathedral. It's like a beautiful blend of different cultures and times.

Gallery

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  The campanario (belltower) of the Cathedral.

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  Northwest (main) view of the Cathedral of Quito.

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  Cathedral of Quito, viewed from the Grand Plaza.

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  View of the main part of the altar.

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  Major altar.

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  Archiepiscopal library

Images for kids

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  Chapter house located in today's museum

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  The Quito Metropolitan Cathedral in 1800, anonymous. Museum of the Bank of the Republic of Colombia

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  Interior of the Quito Cathedral in 1860 by Henry Walter Bates

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  Bell tower

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  Roof, domes, lantern roofs and bell tower

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  Cathedral's museum

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  17th-century Mudéjar artesonado of the main nave

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  Altar of the Our Lady of Sorrows

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  Pulpit

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  A colonial carved door

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  Colonial Quito School painting in the cathedral museum

See also

In Spanish: Catedral metropolitana de Quito para niños