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San Blas, El Belen and Guapulo Quito Churches - Thursday, April 3, 2008
San BlasBuilt in 1568 and rebuilt in 1713 and 1969. It is located in one of the parish, which was at first designated to the indigenes. It is rounded by the square of its same name, which was also the limit of Quito in a past time.
The church has only got one regular and large nave, which end in an octagonal form. The façade is beautiful made in stone, with two columns, besides a tower with its bell. It is part of the ensemble with the parish house.
Inner the church we can find images of Santa Mariana de Jesús, the Virgen of El Quinche, El Señor de la Resureccion , El Señor de la Misericordia, La Dolorosa, the image of San Blas, and others, besides a beautiful altar made in marble and a terrific monstrance.
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El Belen
This modest church is part of the artistic patrimony of Quito. It was built in 1612 as a humble chapel in honor to the viceroy of Peru Blasco Núñez Vela, who died, decapitated by Sebastián de Benalcázar, when Quito was founded. After this, it was rebuilt by the President of the Audiencia, Villalengua in 1787.
It is located where the first mass was taken place, when Quito was founded. Different religious communities occupied this church, such as: Franciscans, Augustinians, Mercedarian, and today, by the parish of Santa Prisca.
Inner the church there are important pieces like the retable, one Sacrarium and one Calvary of the 17th century. There are also one crucifix carved in wood by the indigene Manuela Chili, and other important art pieces.
Chapel of the Consuelo
It is at a side of ItchimbÃa. In the past it was called the chapel of our Señora del Belen. It was constructed by Gregorio Cárdenas, who discovered the Virgen, as he founded some walls. So, he built this chapel in the same place of the discovery, in the 1691 century.
This chapel has only a nave. We can find at its front a beautiful cross from the 17th century, made in stone. Inside the church there are important art pieces, too.
Santa Teresita
This important church was built since 1946, and opened its doors in 1956, with the sponsor of the Carmelitas Community of Quito. Itâ??s in one of the modern places of Quito, in contrast to the colonial churches, which are in the Centro Historico.
Its style is neo-goyhic, from the middle age. It has one principal nave and two laterals. Inside it there is the image of the Patrona, the Virgen del Carmen, besides a big crypt, images of Santa Teresita, San Juan de la Cruz an other representations brought from Europe.
Guápulo
It is one of the most important sanctuaries in charge of the Franciscans. It was built in 1537 by the architect Fray Antonio RodrÃguez, in the place where it was the way from which Gonzalo Pizarro and Francisco de Orellana began their expedition to the cinnamon country to discover the Amazonas River.
The origin of Guápulo is a little town of indigenes that lived next to this sanctuary. Today it is a place with little houses where many artists are living in. There are also cafes and restaurants.
The church has a nave in cross, with 4 stron arches which support the dome. It is completed with the cloister and the convent.
We can find there important art pieces such as the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe, from one of the most important Spanish sculptors from that time, Diego de Robles. There are also works from colonial artists such as Miguel de Santiago, Nicolás de GorÃbar and others.
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- Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 10:22 AM