Convento de la Merced (Convent of Mercy), Quito

The Basilica of Nuestra Se帽ora de la Merced, also known as the Convento de la Merced, is a significant religious and historical landmark located in the heart of the Historic Center of Quito. The Basilica is the first church and headquarters of the Mercedarian Order in the country, and it holds the title of a Basilica. Its construction began in 1701 under the direction of the architect Jos茅 Jaime Ortiz and was completed in 1737. The white building features five domes, a square tower, and is adorned with Inca and Arabic inscriptions.

One of the most remarkable features of the Basilica of Nuestra Se帽ora de la Merced is its main altarpiece, which was built and carved by Bernardo de Legarda between 1748 and 1751. Visitors can also admire the sacristy, which is a stunning work from the early 19th century. Additionally, the church boasts several works of art by the artist V铆ctor Mideros, both inside the church and the sacristy.

The Basilica of Nuestra Se帽ora de la Merced houses one of the most important historical libraries in Quito. The library is located on two floors of the north wing of the Convent, which is accessible through both the lower and upper floors. Bookcases line the walls of both levels, and the two floors are connected by a beautifully carved wooden spiral staircase. The library boasts a collection of 22,000 volumes and over 40,000 bibliographic records, making it an essential resource for scholars and researchers interested in Ecuadorian history and culture.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Quito. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sight Name: Convento de la Merced (Convent of Mercy)
Sight Location: Quito, Ecuador (See walking tours in Quito)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Historical Religious Buildings Tour

Walking Tours in Quito, Ecuador

Create Your Own Walk in Quito

Creating your own self-guided walk in Quito is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Religious Buildings Tour

As a former Spanish colony, Ecuador and its capital city Quito are home to literally dozens of Catholic churches. The Spaniards brought their faith into the new country and built many great temples here, some of which even pre-date the city of Quito itself.

Among the key local landmarks of ecclesiastical architecture is the Santo Domingo Church, dating back to the 16th century and showcasing a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Quito Introduction Walking Tour

Born from Inca dreams and Spanish conquest, Quito stands high in the Andes鈥攏ot just between valleys and volcanoes, but between worlds: indigenous, colonial, and modern.

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in South America. Its name is believed to derive from the Quitus, an Indigenous group that lived in the area long before the Inca conquest. The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

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