Presidential Palace

Thursday afternoon was an excursion to the center of town, to the Presidential Palace and several of the churches. In theory, I should have done this trip weeks ago, but there was that little problem of an attempted coup.....

We had a lovely walk there. There were only a few of us, strangely, all American students. I'll post a few of those photos into another blog -- there are plenty just of the Palace trip. It was really quite fun.


Vinicio is a wonderful teacher and guide. We're in the central square now; Rebecca and Mark are behind him.


Here, we're waiting in line to enter the Presidential Palace. I loved the juxtaposition of the two uniforms, and especially the spurs on the boots of the guard on the left!

The Palace is no longer the President's residence, but he does conduct business from it. He was not there on the day we visited, though. But like our own White House, this one is open with guided tours. (In fact, it only opened to the public in 2007.) The tours are fairly short, about twenty-five minutes, and through a very central corridor only, but very informative. And it's a beautiful building. We all felt very fortunate to have done this, and I do encourage it should you ever find yourself in Quito.


While waiting in the earlier line, they took our IDs -- for most of us, that meant copies of our passports. Then we passed by these guards, in historic Grenadiers of Tarqui uniforms, and into the security area. Once our bags and selves were scanned, and our bags securely stored, they called us individually from our IDs and issued us these passes.



We had a few moments to take photos in the main courtyard area. Our group photo, top, was taken at this time as well.


These are the murals along the main stairway. I think the guide said that they were done by Guayasamín, but maybe I misunderstood and they were in his influence.... In any case, they are really stunning.



The guards are ever present, as you would expect. Below, some of the ethnographic collection that is on display. The palace is very much a showpiece for the cultures of Ecuador, since it is a diplomatic residence and meeting place. Incredibly beautiful things, from archaeological pieces such as these to contemporary pieces.



The State dining room seats 60. And the lilies in the flower arrangements had such a heady aroma!


It's a pretty building, all white stucco. I love arches and windows and balconies.


There are several balconies that look out to the city. We're standing on the main one, and the President routinely gives talks and speeches from this one. Looking to the right you can see the spire of the Cathedral, and El Panecillo in the background. Looking forward, it's the Plaza de la Independencia. Actually, some of these balconies overlooking the Plaza came from the Palace of the Tuilleries in Paris, compliments of the French government.



Back in the Palace, this is the altar. It's highly decorative, and is placed at one end of the State dining room. Below, the formal reception room. It's actually the hall of portraits of past presidents of Ecuador as well, at least, the democratically-elected past Presidents! A number of gifts from allied states line this room and the hallways surrounding it.


And to close out, two church photos. Ecuador has more than 80 churches, many quite old and quite beautiful. Most do not allow photography inside, sadly. But they are as lovely inside as these photos lead you to believe.


La Iglesia de la Compañía appears to be all gold. It's actually gold leaf, mostly over wood. However, a reported seven TONS of gold are in on the walls and ceilings. It is reported to be the most beautiful church in all of the Americas. I thought the painting depicting hell and sufferers of the seven deadly sins and their punishments was rather interesting..... Below is La Iglesia San Francisco, one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was built on an Inkan site, and was one of the few churches that allowed Indigenous people.


Next up, around town wrap-up, buses, and food.