⛪ La Compañía de Jesús (Quito)
Ecuador
About This Sacred Site
The Church of the Society of Jesus (La Compañía de Jesús) in Quito is widely regarded as the most ornate and beautiful church in Latin America. Built between 1605 and 1765, every surface of the interior is covered in gold leaf — an estimated seven tons in total — combined with Moorish-influenced carved plasterwork, polychrome saints, and Baroque paintings. The green and gold stone facade is a masterpiece of Baroque design. The church is the jewel of Quito's UNESCO World Heritage historic center.
Key Facts
- •The interior is covered in an estimated seven tons of gold leaf
- •Construction took 160 years, from 1605 to 1765
- •Considered the most ornate church in the Americas
- •The facade blends Baroque, Mudéjar (Moorish), and Churrigueresque architectural styles
- •Located in Quito's historic center, the first cultural site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1978)
Location
Coordinates: -0.2199, -78.5145
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