City Museum (Quito) facts for kids
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The City Museum (also known as Museo de la Ciudad) is a cool museum in the old part of Quito, Ecuador. You can find it on Garcia Moreno Street, between Morales and Rocafuerte.
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A Hospital Becomes a Museum
The museum opened its doors in 1998. It is located in the buildings that were once the San Juan de Dios Hospital. These buildings are very special! They were named a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site. This means they are important to the whole world.
The buildings were fixed up in 1995. Workers used the same kinds of materials as the original buildings. This helped to repair any damaged areas. You can still see old stone Doric columns, stone doorways, and stone coverings in the courtyards. These are some of the best parts of the building's design.
What You Can See Inside
The museum tells the story of Quito. It also shares 400 years of the hospital's history. The old hospital buildings are very big, covering 10,200 square meters. Inside, you will find:
- Four main collections
- Ten exhibition rooms
- Areas for workshops
- Museum offices
Everything is set up around four courtyards. Besides its main collections, the museum also has special temporary exhibits. These shows focus on different parts of life in Quito.
Special Collections and Exhibits
One of the main exhibits takes you on a journey. It shows the customs, people, and traditions of Quito. This part of history goes from the 1500s to the 1800s.
Another exhibit shows the history of the hospital itself. It also has items from a doctor who used to work there. There is also an exhibit called "A new social order breaks through: Quito nineteenth century." This exhibit looks at how Quito changed in the 1800s.
In 2020, something exciting happened. Sixty-nine old objects were returned to Ecuador. They are now on display at the museum. A diplomat from London had taken these objects in the 1960s. He loved art and old things. The collection includes Catholic art from the time Spain arrived. It also has objects that are even older, from before Columbus came to America.
Plan Your Visit
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday. You can visit from 9:30 AM until 5:30 PM.
- People with disabilities can enter for free.
- Some groups and city workers also get in for free.
- For everyone else, there is a small fee to get in.
Photo gallery
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City Museum formerly San Juan de Dios Hospital
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City Museum formerly San Juan de Dios Hospital
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"Semiótica andina" Amaru Cholango. Installation at the City Museum, Quito, 2011
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"Yo soy un árbol y tú también" Amaru Cholango. Installation at the City Museum, Quito, 2011
See also
In Spanish: Museo de la Ciudad (Quito) para niños
