Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced
4.5
About
Located in Quito’s historical neighborhood, this small and cozy church was built during the 16th century by the priests of La Merced.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
105 reviews
Excellent
51
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47
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Goal100Countries
Cheltenham, UK599 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
The church offers an incredible interior of golden ornaments and paint that covers the church. Here they also offer many beautiful pieces or art.
Written 1 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL21,653 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
Not our favorite church in Quito, but still definitely really beautiful. The complete white exterior design combined with the beautiful inside architecture, gives this place such charming character.
Written 22 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ANTHONY T
7 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
The Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy, is a Catholic temple located in the Historical Center of the city of Quito, capital of Ecuador. It constitutes the first church and main headquarters of the Order mercedaria in the country, and for that reason carries the title of Basilica.
The building, of white color, has five domes, a square tower and is decorated with inscriptions Incas and Arabs. Construction began in 1701, the tower was completed in 1736 and the basilica was consecrated in 1747.
In its vaults rest, among other illustrious personages, the following:
Isabel de Santiago, outstanding painter of the seventeenth century.
Juan Pío de Monuffar and Frasso, first Marquis of Selva Alegre and 22nd President of Quito.
Rosa de Larrea-Zurbano and Santa Coloma, first marquesa consorte of Selva Alegre.
Jacinto Sánchez de Orellana, second Marquis of Villa de Orellana and mayor of the colonial Cabildo of Quito.
Isidoro Barriga, hero of South American independence and second husband of the Marquesa de Solanda.
The building, of white color, has five domes, a square tower and is decorated with inscriptions Incas and Arabs. Construction began in 1701, the tower was completed in 1736 and the basilica was consecrated in 1747.
In its vaults rest, among other illustrious personages, the following:
Isabel de Santiago, outstanding painter of the seventeenth century.
Juan Pío de Monuffar and Frasso, first Marquis of Selva Alegre and 22nd President of Quito.
Rosa de Larrea-Zurbano and Santa Coloma, first marquesa consorte of Selva Alegre.
Jacinto Sánchez de Orellana, second Marquis of Villa de Orellana and mayor of the colonial Cabildo of Quito.
Isidoro Barriga, hero of South American independence and second husband of the Marquesa de Solanda.
Written 14 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaMercedCorazon
Annapolis, MD33 contributions
Take time to properly explore this lovely church. Ask a local to explain the artwork to get the inside feel for what the city was like back in the day.
Written 10 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nyleve Z
Quito, Ecuador78 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
I loved loved it but it depends on tastes , I loved it because it is all golden inside , the people in there have so much faith it is very interesting to go inside during mass . I went with my family we took a couple of pictures this is my favorite after La Compania I even like it more I think ,you can take pictures inside of it it is big , free , not crowded .
Buy a candle outside for a quarter and offer and ask for something inside I really loved it .
Please check schedules before going and be careful with your stuff , outside of the church you can find a clothe and fantasy jewelry markets , things are really cheap around but be careful !!!
This is in the downtown area just a block from the principal square :) >
Another recommendation go in the morning , if possible call first to Quito Eterno they make dramatizations in there in English , totally worth it!! (http://www.quitoeterno.org/cgi-bin/wd)
Buy a candle outside for a quarter and offer and ask for something inside I really loved it .
Please check schedules before going and be careful with your stuff , outside of the church you can find a clothe and fantasy jewelry markets , things are really cheap around but be careful !!!
This is in the downtown area just a block from the principal square :) >
Another recommendation go in the morning , if possible call first to Quito Eterno they make dramatizations in there in English , totally worth it!! (http://www.quitoeterno.org/cgi-bin/wd)
Written 22 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gestrada
Quito, Ecuador19 contributions
Dec 2011
excellent restoration work of the surrounding plaza and buildings, please update the photo on Trip advisor since this one corresponds to Basilica del Voto Nacional, not La Merced... both in Quito
Written 5 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ITRT
Virginia44,656 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
During our tour with Manta Tour Guides, we drove to Montecristi, the home and burial place of the much-loved President Fernando Villavicencio. Some insurrectionists who did not like the changes he was making assassinated him and then dragged his body through the streets. There is a mural of him and his accomplishments near the Nuestra Madre de Monserrate Cathedral. The Minor Basilica of the Virgin of Monserrat located in Montecristi was built in the year 1959-1962
Chapels are located around the edge of the basilica's interior. Perhaps the most important section is the location of the Black Madonna. Sometimes referred to as the Virgin of Montserrat and La Moreneta, the statue is located above the main altar behind a sheet of glass in what is called the "throne room". There is also a stairway to the throne room for those who wish to pray there.
The interior of the cathedral is white including the tall arches. Stained-glass windows surrounded the altar and on both sides of the church. On one side of the nave is a Christ laying in a glass-enclosed case and covered with a white silk cloth. The entrance doors were enormous and made of a beautiful wood. Next to the side of the basilica is a small park with a fountain. Take time to visit this beautiful cathedral.
Chapels are located around the edge of the basilica's interior. Perhaps the most important section is the location of the Black Madonna. Sometimes referred to as the Virgin of Montserrat and La Moreneta, the statue is located above the main altar behind a sheet of glass in what is called the "throne room". There is also a stairway to the throne room for those who wish to pray there.
The interior of the cathedral is white including the tall arches. Stained-glass windows surrounded the altar and on both sides of the church. On one side of the nave is a Christ laying in a glass-enclosed case and covered with a white silk cloth. The entrance doors were enormous and made of a beautiful wood. Next to the side of the basilica is a small park with a fountain. Take time to visit this beautiful cathedral.
Written 22 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregory W
Mankato, MN3,826 contributions
Dec 2021
The Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy (La Merced) is a Catholic church and is the first church and main seat of the Mercedarian Order in the country, and for this reason it bears the title of Basilica .
The white building has five domes, a square tower and is decorated with Inca and Arabic inscriptions . Construction began in 1701, the tower was completed in 1736, and the basilica was consecrated in 1747.
It maintains one of the most important historical libraries in the city, both for its content and its state of conservation. The Merced library is spread over two floors of the north wing of the Convent and has access through the lower floor, as well as the upper one. Bookcases cover the walls of the two floors and are connected inside by an ornate spiral staircase carved in wood. 22,000 volumes and more than 40,000 bibliographic records are in the collection. I was unable to see the library as it was closed.
The La Merced Library Conservation Project was funded by the Getty Conservation Institute and cost approximately one million dollars in renovation dollars.
The white building has five domes, a square tower and is decorated with Inca and Arabic inscriptions . Construction began in 1701, the tower was completed in 1736, and the basilica was consecrated in 1747.
It maintains one of the most important historical libraries in the city, both for its content and its state of conservation. The Merced library is spread over two floors of the north wing of the Convent and has access through the lower floor, as well as the upper one. Bookcases cover the walls of the two floors and are connected inside by an ornate spiral staircase carved in wood. 22,000 volumes and more than 40,000 bibliographic records are in the collection. I was unable to see the library as it was closed.
The La Merced Library Conservation Project was funded by the Getty Conservation Institute and cost approximately one million dollars in renovation dollars.
Written 12 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thecatsmum4
Kettering, UK2,616 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
From being rather plain outside, this is very ornate inside. The plasterwork was excellent all over the walls and ceiling. Unfortunately it was a Sunday and a service was in progress so unable to take photographs, which I would have loved to have done. Well worth a visit.
Written 5 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gary c
Carolina, Puerto Rico12,595 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
Basilica La Merced – This was my guide’s church….it’s unbelievable on the inside…simply stunning!!!!!!! They also have monkey faces on the east side of the church adorning the hand rail…the inside is gorgeous…I took picture after picture and lots of videos…hard to believe the grandeur!!!!!!
Written 10 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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