Loja, Cultural capital in southern Ecuador
Loja is a city in southern Ecuador that spreads across a green valley at roughly 2000 meters above sea level. Colonial buildings with balconies and inner courtyards line the streets around the central square, while newer neighborhoods climb the surrounding hills.
Spanish colonizers founded the settlement in the mid-1500s and later moved it to its current location. The city became a religious center with several monasteries and churches that remain standing today.
Residents call this place the music capital of Ecuador, and outdoor concerts fill parks on weekends. Street musicians perform along pedestrian zones downtown, often using traditional instruments passed down through families.
The weather stays mild and cool year-round, with frequent afternoon showers between October and May. Comfortable shoes make it easier to explore the cobblestone streets and steep inclines in the historic center.
A gate with towers and sculptures marks the entrance to the old town and serves as a meeting point for locals. The figures on it come from a Spanish novel that remains especially popular in the region.
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