Catedral Metropolitana de Quito
Catedral Metropolitana de Quito
4.5
About
The city’s main cathedral contains the tomb of Field Marshal Antonio Jose de Sucre, Quito’s liberator, and The Holy Shroud, a magnificent 18th-century sculpture by Manuel Chili Caspicara.
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4.5
473 reviews
Excellent
209
Very good
190
Average
65
Poor
7
Terrible
2
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Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands6,214 contributions
Jan 2020
The main entrance of the cathedral is not facing the square, which feels a bit odd. I understood this is due to a deep gorge underneath the structure. Anyway the side entrance with steps often serves as an entrance and remarkably as a stage for music bands and other performers with an audience on the square standing in front.
There is not much left of the original 16th century stone church except for the building pattern. Many earthquakes damaged the building and important additions were made in the 19th and 20th centuries. The three glazed green ceramic domes were added in 1800s, the German style belltower with Prussian helmet in 1930. The interior as well shows many replicas of earlier Baroque and Mudejar ornamentation.
Overall perhaps not as attractive as the nearby Jesuit church, or iglesia de San Francisco, but still well worth a visit.
There is not much left of the original 16th century stone church except for the building pattern. Many earthquakes damaged the building and important additions were made in the 19th and 20th centuries. The three glazed green ceramic domes were added in 1800s, the German style belltower with Prussian helmet in 1930. The interior as well shows many replicas of earlier Baroque and Mudejar ornamentation.
Overall perhaps not as attractive as the nearby Jesuit church, or iglesia de San Francisco, but still well worth a visit.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK7,058 contributions
Jan 2023
This is the cathedral in Plaza Indepence or also known as Plaza Grande whereas photos show other locations. Here there is a $2 entry fee and the only church where in January 2023 entry would be refused if you didn't wear a mask. Masks available $0.50. However on entry the surprise was seemingly 70% of the floorspace was given to a massive model display of religious scenes. Now this was well done. Lots of different scenes, good model villages and settings, small figures of people and animals moving all very well lit. An impressive sight.
But I had come to see a cathedral and couldn't. Behind the huge backdrop splitting the church between the altar and the model section all the church seating had been roped off, no access. This meant just side views of the main excellent altar not face on. And no photographs allowed of the altar or any of the many religious paintings that remained in the model section. Photographs were allowed there, in fact the large model was extremely popular.
But I had come to see a cathedral and couldn't. Behind the huge backdrop splitting the church between the altar and the model section all the church seating had been roped off, no access. This meant just side views of the main excellent altar not face on. And no photographs allowed of the altar or any of the many religious paintings that remained in the model section. Photographs were allowed there, in fact the large model was extremely popular.
Written 7 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Armando P
Guatemala City, Guatemala561 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Beautiful Cathedral, you have to pay again to access it and also for the domes.
Aesthetically it is very beautiful, however the orientation is very strange and does not follow the modular grid of Latin America and you enter from the side.
He has Mariscal Sucre buried inside him, he did not know this information and was unaware of it
It is very beautiful and worth visiting and photographing.
Aesthetically it is very beautiful, however the orientation is very strange and does not follow the modular grid of Latin America and you enter from the side.
He has Mariscal Sucre buried inside him, he did not know this information and was unaware of it
It is very beautiful and worth visiting and photographing.
Written 18 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dmitry Borodin
Moscow, Russia2,884 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
A beautiful cathedral, incredible snow-white color, looks more spectacular from the outside than from the inside. It has a small museum (not much to see other than a cozy library) and you can go upstairs (accompanied by a member of staff). However, the views from there are inferior to the observation deck of the Basilica.
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
idrovoviva
Quito508 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
It is one of the oldest temples in South America. It is the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Quito and occupies the southern side of the so called Independence Square or Main Plaza (Plaza de la Independencia o Plaza Mayor) of Quito. Its construction was finished between 1562 and 1565. However, most of its designs and artwork were incrementally developed along XVII and XVIII centuries. The Cathedral features styles such as Baroque, Mudejar, rococo, neo-Gothic and neo-Classic. It has an important collection of artworks such as: "El Coro Catedralicio", one of the strongest carvings of Caspicara; "El Transito de la Virgen" the greatest canvas by Miguel de Santiago and "The Denial of Saint Peter," among other important colonial paintings.
Many people got mistaken between the Cathedral and The Basilica, the best way to avoid such an error, is to consider that The Cathedral is located around Plaza de la Independencia, besides The Carondelet Palace, while The Basilica is located outside of the historical city center, over the hill, at the northern part of the Quito.
Many people got mistaken between the Cathedral and The Basilica, the best way to avoid such an error, is to consider that The Cathedral is located around Plaza de la Independencia, besides The Carondelet Palace, while The Basilica is located outside of the historical city center, over the hill, at the northern part of the Quito.
Written 18 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
born2travelit
Cesena, Italy17,251 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
located in the main square, plaza de armas, just next to palacio de gobierno, this old colonial church is one of the symbol of the city of quito
Written 21 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RudySzymon
Chicago, IL1,322 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
Unfortunately one person in our party lost the small camera due to skillful pickpocket thief. I saw everything but had no idea how to react, neither screaming nor running after that person seems appropriate inside this beautiful church. Fortunately our friend lost only several pictures from the day before, no big deal. Please pay attention to your surroundings even in church that happened.
Written 25 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer D
Raleigh, NC314 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Located on the Plaza Grande, the cathedral is unassuming when compared to beauties like La Compania de Jesus or the larger, more grandiose Basilica de Voto Nacional, up the road. But this shouldn't be missed. We had the Cathedral all to ourselves upon our visit, which was a shame, because there was much to be enjoyed. I'd especially recommend looking closely at some of the paintings-- particularly the frescoes near the ceiling, which show some more "local" takes on traditional religious scenes, like The Last Supper. But don't just stop there-- be sure to explore the doorways and hallways in the back, off of the nave itself. It might look like you shouldn't be allowed to roam there, but you are-- and it's included with your admission. Come for the interior, stay for the courtyard, libraries, and meeting rooms in the back. It's a fascinating look at religious governance, not just art and architecture.
Written 8 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
toberua
Estero, FL308 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
Situated on a beautiful square, the Cathedral is truly a magnificent religious structure. Besides being grand in design, it is unique in that on its exterior buttresses instead of the usual gargoyles they have used all the animals from their own Galapagos Islands, giant tortoises, Iguanas, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Sea Lions, Panthers, caymans .... they are all there. Inside is a beautiful and huge dome, with a stunning altar and beautifully appointed fixtures. Truly worth a visit, even if you are not the religious type.
Written 12 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendan S
Arlington, VA2,152 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Although the cathedral is the “headquarters” of the Catholic Church in Quito and is prominently located in the main square in Old Quito, it’s not as impressive as the grandiose Basilica up the street in one direction or as ornate as the gold Compania church nearby. The main item of interest is the gallery with centuries-old vestments, but it’s decidedly third among these churches as an attraction to visit.
Written 22 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
el nombre de la persona que escribió la leyenda de la valeta de la catedral de Quito .
Written 9 June 2021
Is the church open on Sunday, March 24, Election Day, in the afternoon?
Written 20 March 2019
Sorry, I don't know but I bet it is!!!!!
Written 21 March 2019
Diego: Me sorprende que no fue de tu gusto La Catedral, inclusive sus Prétiles de piedras talladas a mano, ya son un Arte. Todo lo que tiene en su interior, en Pinturas, Tallados, Paredes, techos pintados, sería conveniente que regreses y pidas una Guía Turística para que te expliqué todo el Gran Contenido en Arte, Belleza y Sobriedad de La Catedral.
Ruth
Me gustaría que otras personas opinen sobre La Catedral de la Capital del Ecuador.
Written 26 January 2016
,No podemos impactarnos por el Oro de las Paredes en La Compañía, verdaderamente es un Monumento Maravilloso, pero, esto no le desmerece a La Catedral, que sin Oro tiene una impresionante belleza en Piedra, tallas en madera, con sus rostros policromados, que están intactos hasta ahora, con su brillo auténtico. Sus campanas fundidas en 7 metales. Tocan con mucha melodía. En fin La Catedral se debe admirarla al detalle, más bien contemplarla.
Ruth
Written 26 January 2016
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