Church of Our Lady of Guápulo, Colonial church in Guápulo district, Quito, Ecuador.
The Church of Our Lady of Guápulo is a colonial church situated between two valleys in the Guápulo district of Quito. It displays Spanish colonial features such as carved wooden doors, several domes, and carefully worked stone exterior walls.
A chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe of Guápulo was erected here around 1587, and in 1593 Bishop Solís ordered a second chapel. The present church is the third building on the site; sources give its construction as begun in 1490 and finished in 1696, with the Franciscan friar Antonio Rodríguez as architect. The priest José Herrera travelled the Americas with the image of the "Peregrina", a gift from Emperor Charles V, to raise funds for its completion.
This sanctuary plays a central role in the spiritual life of Guápulo's residents, who gather here for worship and local celebrations throughout the year. The religious paintings and wooden artworks visible inside reflect the faith traditions that have shaped this community for centuries.
To reach this location, follow the winding Camino de Orellana path that descends through the valley. The route is hillside terrain, so wear sturdy footwear and plan to visit during daylight hours.
The venerated statue of the Virgin of Guápulo served as the model for the sculptures of Our Lady of El Cisne and Our Lady of El Quinche, two of Ecuador's most visited Marian shrines. The original sixteenth-century image carved by Diego de Robles was destroyed in the 1839 fire; the present one dates from 1953 and was made by the artist Montesdeoca of San Antonio de Ibarra.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,644 contributors worldwide.