Basilica of the National Vow in Quito
Located in the heart of the city of Quito, at 2,850 meters above sea level, the Basilica of the National Vow rises with a marked neo-Gothic style that is reflected in the dark and medieval appearance of the church.
In addition, as with other neo-Gothic features, what is most impressive is its size: 115 meters tall in its towers! Can you imagine how enormous that is?
This makes it the largest cathedral in the Americas, with its height matched by the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, Colombia, and its area and volume comparable to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, USA—both also in the neo-Gothic style.
Seeing it up close will remind you of some of the largest cathedrals in Europe, such as the Cathedral of Seville (Spain) or the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral (France). And this is no coincidence—since the idea began in 1887, the cornerstone ceremony was held in 1892, and after 37 years, it was finally completed in 1924.
Still, according to Ecuadorian mythology or popular belief, the Basilica of Quito is not yet finished. It is believed that once the work is completed, it will signal the end of the world. Although this is a myth told among the people of Quito, there may be a bit of truth to it. What do you think?
Among the names responsible for the construction of this cultural jewel are the renowned French architect Emilio Tarlier, who was inspired by the Cathedral of Notre-Dame when designing the plans for the Basilica of Quito; the Prussian architect Franz Schmidt, who began the land-leveling project; and the Swiss architect Francisco Durini, who solved construction problems as they arose.
Despite the foreign influence, the design of the Basilica of Quito was modified to better fit the natural roots of Ecuador’s four regions. That’s why you’ll find gargoyles, but this time in the form of endemic animals from the Amazon rainforest, such as caimans or howler monkeys, and Galápagos tortoises representing the Galápagos Islands.
Another detail to consider is the gold leaf decoration, made of fine sheets almost imperceptible to the human touch, placed inside the church. Although the exact amount of gold in the Basilica of Quito is unknown, you will see it in many details within the temple. Finally, the delicate handmade stained-glass windows and rose windows are beautiful and captivating at first sight.
The Basilica of the National Vow perfectly complements Quito, adding a mystical and unique touch to the best-preserved historic center in South America, a World Cultural Heritage Site. You’re sure to love it!
If you’d like to visit this beautiful place, here’s some information about prices and hours:
For Ecuadorian adults, admission is $2 USD, and children under 10 years old enter free.
For foreign adults, admission is $4 USD, and children under 5 years old enter free.
To visit the church and its towers, you can enter from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, but keep in mind that mass services are held at the following times:
Monday and Tuesday: 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM
Wednesday to Saturday: 7:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 6:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 PM
Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, and 6:00 PM
We suggest bringing a bottle of water, a jacket in case it gets cold, and planning about two hours so you can explore the church and its towers without missing any details. Enjoy the enriching experience that Quito’s Historic Center has to offer.
Remember: to love art is to let the spirit speak without words, and the heart see without eyes.
By. JC