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Iglesia de San Francisco

The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco (Spanish: Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco), commonly known as el San Francisco, is a Catholic basilica that stands in the middle of the historic center of Quito, in front of the square of the same name. It is the oldest and most significant religious site in Ecuador. The structure is the largest architectural complex within the historic centers of all of South America, and for this reason it was known as "El Escorial of the New World".

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Built 1550
Heritage listed

Address: Imbabura
Phone: +593990472584
Website: museopedrogocial.org (opens in a new tab)

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Place data from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Also listed in Overture Maps open data.

Updated 29 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Conjunto monumental San Francisco
This church dates to 1537 and was devoted to St Francis, since the Franciscan order was the first to settle in the area. Hence the city's official name: San Francisco de Quito. The church contains masterpieces of syncretic art, including the famous "Virgin of Quito" by Legarda. The sculpture represents a winged virgin stepping on the devil's head (in the form of a serpent) and is displayed in the main altar. The virgin would later be inaccurately replicated on top of Panecillo hill. The museum next door to the church is arranged through the monastic compound and includes access to the choir. Next to the choir you can also climb the stairs to enter the bell tower and the church roof, offering great panorama of the square.
$3 for the museum and the tower
DrinkCafé
Bodega de Cantuna
Wi-Fi
EatRestaurant
Tianguez Café-Restaurant
Plaza de San Francisco. Calle Sucre y Cuenca
EatRestaurant
Origen Rooftop
Bolívar y Cuenca