Azogues, Mountain capital city in Cañar Province, Ecuador.
Azogues sits at an elevation of 2,518 meters (8,261 feet) in the Andes and functions as the regional administrative center. It connects smaller mountain communities with Cuenca and the broader Pan-American Highway network that links Ecuador's major cities.
The settlement was founded in 1562 as an outpost linked to Cuenca before eventually becoming an independent administrative center. Its early role in regional governance set the foundation for its current importance as a local hub.
The San Francisco Cathedral anchors the spiritual life of the city and serves as the seat of its own diocese. The plaza surrounding it reflects how religious practice remains central to daily community life.
The city sits directly on the main road connecting the region's larger centers and is easily accessible. Visitors will find standard services here and can use it as a base to explore surrounding mountain villages.
The name comes from 'azogue,' meaning mercury, tracing back to historical mining operations that once shaped the region's economy. Though mining is no longer visible in the landscape, the name preserves this chapter of its past.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
