QuitoThe Quitu people have inhabited Quito since the 13th century, making it into a prosperous centre and the capital of their kingdom. Later on it became the northern capital of the Inca Empire, before being colonised by the Spanish in 1534, and is now the capital of Ecuador. In the 16th and 17th centuries, colonial architects built formidable temples, monasteries and mansions and today the colonial sector preserves over 400 years of Spanish heritage, making it a wonderful mixture of architecture and history. Quito is flanked by majestic mountains and snow capped volcanoes and its centre is divided into two. There is a colonial part with baroque facades, wrought iron balconies and cobbled streets that was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 1978, and the modern district, which has all the hustle and bustle of an Ecuadorian city. TO SEE AND DO IN QUITOQuito's main attraction is its colonial quarter, though its markets and surrounding hills are also worth exploring. Below are some ideas about what to see and do in the capital. City tour. Best seen on foot, where shouting street vendors, narrow cobbled streets and tooting taxis bring it all to life. The highlights include; Plaza de Independencia with its 16th century Cathedral and government palace, the plaza and monastery of San Francisco, built in 1553 and containing some of the city's best architecture and the plaza and church of Santa Domingo. The city also contains a variety of interesting museums, varying from pre-Columbian ceramics to modern paintings to traditional dress and ornaments of indigenous groups. El Panecillo. The grand statue of the Virgin de Quito sits on this hill that dominates the city, giving superb views of the city and its surroundings. Markets. Below El Panecillo is a thriving Indian market and the nearby Ipiales market sells everything from Columbian artefacts to used slippers!
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