Cárcel Municipal de Guayaquil, Former municipal prison in central Guayaquil, Ecuador
This former prison is an early 1900s building with a central courtyard surrounded by over 40 cells and dungeons. The structure uses reinforced concrete imported from Genoa, Italy, and displays Renaissance architectural influences.
The building was constructed between 1903 and 1905 by engineer Francisco Manrique Pacanis and replaced an earlier prison destroyed in the great fire of 1896. It served as a prison until 1966, when it ceased its original function.
The walls hold personal stories of prisoners, including that of executed inmate Amado Viteri, commemorated by a memorial plaque on site. These narratives offer visitors insight into the lives and fates of those who were held here.
The building is located at the intersection of Julian Coronel and Baquerizo Moreno streets in the city center. It is maintained by the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute and the Guayaquil XXI Foundation, placing it under institutional care.
The building was Guayaquil's first reinforced concrete structure, making it a pioneer in modern construction methods for the city. This early adoption of advanced building techniques marks it as a significant example of technological transition in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
