Plaza san Francisco, Quito

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❖Plaza San Francisco, Quito, Ecuador, 2015[open in full screen]

Previous Plaza San Blas, Quito, Ecuador

Plaza San Francisco is an enormous and slightly somber space, with no benches or trees. Melancholy is emphasized with the grand proportions of the Iglesia y Monasteria de San Francisco (San Francisco Church and Monastery).

The style of the church evolved over almost 150 years of construction (1534-1680) through earthquakes and changes in artistic fashion. The Church houses the city's beloved Virgin of Quito (1734). It is a bit dark inside, but the main altar is worth the visit with a carving of the Virgen of Quito.

Main reason for elevated location of the church from the rest of the square is that it was built on top of ancient Incan ruins Tianguiz, including Emperor Atahualpa’s (1497-1533) palace, the quarters of his generals Quisquís and Calicuchima and market that had enormous strategic and historical significance for the indigenous people that Franciscans wanted to evangelize.

The Museo de San Francisco next door is full of artwork from the Quito school. Numerous other buildings all constructed during colonial times are surrounding the square, among others Palacio Gargotena, in 2011 converted to the one of the most important Quito hotels.

Lower level of the church complex is accommodating huge market with local craft in very exciting underground space [please see photo bellow right].

On the map bellow the locations of two more Quito squares in our collection are marked, along with direct links to both of them.

❖ Photos and description by
Ken Grunberg & Una Janicijevic,
VR by urbansquares

MEANDER ⇢ Religious Squares

Next Plaza Grande, Quito, Ecuador

❖..c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ... s y s t e m..❖
more about evaluation method		more about types of squares
sociability	9	ceremonial	x
uses & activities	10	religious	x
access & linkages	10	social	x
comfort	8	residential	x
image	9	court yard	x
tourist value	10	with park	x
total	56	street, shopping	x