Quito's party

The Fiestas de Quito are a relatively new event in the calendar of events of Ecuador and the city. It is the commemoration of the Spanish Foundation of the city of San Francisco de Quito, which took place on December 6, 1534, under the direction of Spanish conqueror Sebastián de Benalcázar on the remains of what was once the second capital (or equity north) of the Inca Empire before the capital of the legendary kingdom of Quito, run by the Quitu-Faces. Until the 1950s, on 6 December is just commemorated with a parade and an eventual civic event in the city and the traditional Solemn Session of the Municipality of Quito.

Since around 1960, at the initiative of Quito evening "News", the celebration took a 180 degree turn and became a holiday of three weeks full of events that are expected throughout the year as the most festive season from the city.

When begins?

The Fiestas de Quito are made from the last week of November until the second week of December each year and have its height between 1 and December 6, where the entire city is the setting for a great holiday.

Where is the festival?

The festivities and events are held only in the Metropolitan District of Quito, which is the geographical area that today is the capital of Ecuador and covers a large urban extension of about 50 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide at their widest part east-west, in the narrow surrounded by hills and mountains that form the natural scenery of the great city-runner valley.

Major events and activities:

When the newspaper "News" urged a more festive way to celebrate the city by its Spanish foundation, the central idea around which turned the celebration into the early years was the great "Serenata Quito," the night of December 5 , the eve of the anniversary of the foundation, which is motivated to make in all areas of the city serenades were organized with traditional music of the city and the people ran several neighborhoods enjoying the music, joy and dancing. "Albazos" and typically Quito "parade" were since the hymns of joy with which people went to the streets to celebrate their city. Among the most famous are the "Chulla Quiteño" and "What is my Lindo Quito". Here also came the relentless sound and shouting "Viva Quito ... !!" with the air of the city is filled during those days.

Over time, the events were extended and expanded in scope and variety, this being a season of concerts, exhibitions, popular fairs, competitions of typical meals, opening of churches, convents and museums.

Another event that has become increasingly important is the Parade of the National Fraternity in which beautiful floats, chaired by him who carries the Queen City, all exquisite and originally decorated, representing characters or passages of the rich part pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican history of Quito. Involved here folk groups and delegations from all regions of Ecuador in a colorful show of music, dance and beautiful choreographies that captivate those who admire and strangers.

Central to the celebrations of Quito is the world famous Bullfighting "Jesus del Gran Poder", originally sponsored by the community of Franciscans and is today considered one of the most important fairs in the very special and highly ritualistic world Tori. They concur here for 9 days at the most famous bullfighters of Spain, the birthplace of bullfighting, as well as other countries with bullfighting tradition, including of course the best Ecuadorian bullfighters. The beautiful and elegant Monumental Plaza de Toros Quito is the scenario that day, at twelve o'clock noon, a colorful crowd gathers not only to enjoy the bullfighting art that captivates his followers, but for a festive gathering music, colorful, joy and moments to share emotions, loud cries of "Long live Quito" in the Spanish style dress and tasting of typical dishes as well as Spanish and international. A bullfighting, usually followed evenings meals, dances and celebration extends until evening.

Among the most unique traditions are the wooden racing cars in which children and adolescents intrepid descend steeply, with appropriate security measures, the steep streets of the old Quito in small and original cars without engine, made by hand, showing their expertise at the wheel of these small vehicles.

Quito Another tradition is the "world" championship "forty", a Quito Ecuador and especially playing cards, full of rituals, expressions full of wit, a lot of strategy and a good memory. Forty tournaments are spread throughout the city in public and private institutions, companies, schools and universities. You will often see taking part in these tournaments the President, senior government officials and certainly an inevitable character is the Mayor of the city.

In recent years they have proliferated and have become popular very traditional "Chivas", uncovered vehicles on the sides, rather common on the coast and in warm areas of Ecuador, filled with revelers joyful singing and dancing as they move throughout the city and in the vehicle roof, and colorful typical "bands of people," sing traditional songs. The "Quito serenade" in its original form design and has been losing some space in recent years, but still remains a highlight of the festivities element.

Of course along the main week, Quito are decorated neighborhoods, the city has previously had "Mingas" (community work) cleaning, painting and decoration and cheerful dances are organized with orchestras around the country and some from abroad in an atmosphere of boundless joy, as at any party, complemented by abundant food and drink. Buildings, churches, towers and monuments look beautifully illuminated at night while fantastic shows of fireworks filled the beautiful Quito nights of lights and colors that enhance the charm of the historic capital of Ecuador.

Today, the festival of Quito not only summon thousands of Quito and city residents but attracts thousands of visitors from the rest of Ecuador and other countries, some of them, the amateur bullfighting seduced by the great Quito Fair

PLACES OF QUITO

location of Quito

Quito, officially San Francisco de Quito, is the capital of the Republic of Ecuador , the former capital of South America and the Province of Pichincha, with 1,607,734 inhabitants, is the second most populous city in Ecuador

It is located on the basin of Guayllabamba on the western slopes of the Pichincha active stratovolcano on the east side of the Andes and its average altitude is 2800 m . The city is divided into 32 parishes , which are subdivided into districts.

Typical food of Quito

Quito is recognized nationally and internationally as a culinary city in the country , due to its variety of dishes , from national dishes prepared from potatoes to internacionales dishes made with meat, chicken or fish. The city welcomes more delighted typical dishes of the country , which tourists can taste a dish Quito such as the Potato Locro any national dish such as onions

the Payashca

It is one of the typical meals prepared with pieces of meat that separates cattle leather . The pieces of meat are cooked overnight in wood. As condiments are ; achiote , white onion , salt , thereby obtaining forms an absolutely delicious broth. Small potatoes cooked also added .

the Booklet

It is part of the stomach of the animal, which is washed with water. Which together with crude peanut sauce , parsley , white onion and cilantro eat .

The broth 31

It is the stomach of cattle, which is cooked and served in small dishes.

The broth Huagra Singa

is the stock nose cattle cooked in wood.

The Halpu Beans

They are half- cooked beans in water. They are then roasted in clay pot scarlet adding salt diluted in water.

Chicha de Jora

It is a drink that is ready for the holidays. Previously they served in "wide mate" and was distributed in " pilche " .

Places to visit

Quito is one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America and   the main city of Ecuador.

Some of the places you can visit is the Historic Center, where you can see beautiful churches such as the Church and        Convent of San Francisco, this is the largest temple in all of   Latin in which there is a large gallery pieces art.

Another beautiful church is the Cathedral of Quito this is one of the oldest and most important of Ecuador, where a large    collection of artworks is located Iglesias.

Plaza Independencia also better known as Plaza Grande, this square is in the heart of Quito, the most important in the city. In large buildings Plaza Grande contemporary and colonial art are located as the Carondelet Palace being the nerve center of the city.

Another interesting place to visit is the Teatro Sucre Quito, one of the oldest opera theater in South America, held in a neoclassical architectural style,

Important places

                                                  

 The best preserved colonial region of the Americas, the historic center of Quito offers stunning architecture built from the XVI century. It has places of volcanic material, great republican buildings, monasteries, convents, churches that adorn the Baroque and       Gothic aesthetics and is home to museums filled with the representation of its history. The architecture embodies the history of the center, Quito, while preserving modern customs houses the daily life of its inhabitants.

The rich architecture is present within the churches and squares of the historic center. Quito is home to some of the most beautiful churches decorated with stunning Baroque and         Gothic details. Among the most popular, the church and Plaza de la Merced is a perfect       example baroque and gothic aesthetic that embraces the city, which is decorated with         masterpieces by Bernardo de Legarda and Miguel de Santiago.

Other churches that embody the works of Bernardo de Legarda and Miguel de Santiago,     and are full of historical heritage center of Quito, are the Church of the Society of Jesus and     the Church and Plaza de San Agustín.

The celebration of the history of Quito born between the beautiful views from their seats.     Recognized as the entrance to the historic center of Quito, Plaza de San Blas explains the   historical tradition of Quito, with modern architecture, with its vertical garden remodeled and jewelry. Many identify the Plaza Grande as the hub of the historic center. Home to many attractions such as the Cathedral, the Municipal Palace, the Presidential Palace and the Plaza  Grande, which serves as a place full in history for the people of Quito and for visitors interested  in seeing what surrounds the rich culture Quito.

 Cantuña legend















Famous is the legend that tells how the convent of San Francisco de Quito was built by Cantuña by pact with the devil. This tells how Cantuña contractor, late delivery of works, traded with Many worked while it lasted imps of darkness to finish the church.



At dawn the the evil so that in exchange for his soul, help him work through the night.

two signatories of the contract sealed with blood: Cantuña one hand, and the

devil on the other, came together to make it effective.




The indigenous, fearful and resigned, he would fulfill their part when he realized that on one side of the church placed a stone missing; What clever lawyer argued, hopeful that the work

was incomplete, already dawned and with it the term expired, and that, therefore, the contract was null and void.



Now the story, despite having contributed to the myth, is something different. Cantuña was only one bus of noble lineage, when Rumiñahui burned the city. Forgotten by their elders in the collective history of the imminent arrival of the Spanish armies, Cantuña was caught in the flames that consumed the Inca Quito.






As luck would have, despite being horribly burned and grotesquely deformed, the boy  survive. He pitied him one of the conquerors named Hernan Suarez, who made it part of their service, crystallized, and they say, treated him almost like a son. Years passed and Hernán, conqueror good but bad manager, fell in disgrace. Plagued by debt, he could not manage how to solve their increasingly pressing problems. He is on the verge of having to sell house and lot. Cantuña approached him offering to solve their problems, putting one condition: to make certain modifications in the basement of the house.



The fate of the man changed overnight, finances got to the point that came to be beyond their best days. But no wealth that can avoid the inevitable: with the years behind him, the old
warrior and death overtook him. Cantuña was declared the sole heir and as such continued to enjoy great fortune. They were huge contributions that indigenous performing the Franciscans to build their convent and church. And religious authorities do not understand the origin of such great and pious offerings, they decided to interrogate him. They cantuña so often attended with inconvenient questions that he decided to get away from them once and for all. The Indian confessed to the astonished priests who had made a pact with the devil and that
this, in exchange for his soul, he tried all the money that they should ask him.


Some compassionate religious attempted exorcism against evil and persuasion with Cantuña to return what has been received and break the deal. Given the continuing negative, foreigners began to see it with a mixture of fear and mercy. A Cantuña death was discovered in the basement of the house, under a false floor, a forge to melt gold. On one side there were several gold bars and a number of Inca pieces ready to be melted.