圣弗朗西斯科教堂 (iglesia de san francisco)

The church is under renovation so you cant really see all of the beauty but what you can see it mouth dropping.

A nice church but it is best seen from the choir loft and visit the cloister on the way to the loft. Good colonial grand church

We toured this church with private guide but weren't allowed to take photos--interesting other contributors could as we would have enjoyed having a few of the interior. We found it and the museum very interesting and enjoyed learning the history.The church is located on the main Plaza with restaurants and shops around the area. Street vendors too

This may be the oldest church in Ecuador, started one month after the Spaniards came in 1535. It sits on top of the incline of San Francisco Plaza, taking up one whole side of the square, and I understand goes beyond with convents and chapels. It is an imposing sight, yet from the outside, in stone and stucco, it looks humble and welcoming. Visitors and worshipers come and go. Open doors at all times - what a concept!The inside has stunning architecture... plus statues, artwork and frescoes that require a close look. It is larger than you would think, with the long centre aisle, intricate altar, ceilings tiled with designs and inlay pictures, and naves with small chapels. The pews are simply fashioned in wood, a contrast to the colours and the artistic details in all other adornments. We saw workers doing intricate restoration work of paintings high in alcoves by arched pillars. If you examine the large, carved wooden entrance doors, the stone floors in front of them have long, inlaid steel rods that are (were?) used to secure them. I read in other reviews that there is a museum as part of this church, and regret not being able to visit it, though the church feels like an historical museum unto itself.From San Francisco Square there are a number of curved stone steps that lead to the entrance of the church. I understand that it is to force your head downward to watch your step, but also to bow in reverence as you enter.This church may not have the exterior that shouts at you to come in, but if you do, you won't regret it.

This a beautiful ancient building and square, mainly in stone, in which you can also enjoy of the traditional coffee shops offer nearby, a well as typical food on the street and in restaurants, very traditional and beautiful place, only warning is that by night the around neighbourhoods are not safe, so it is better to take a cab to go out when you finish your visit, however during the daylight is safe and nice. This is a must visit one!

I enjoyed the interior of the beautiful church but the art and history in the museum were very much worth a visit. The empanadas at the cafe on the plaza were delicious!

We went into the church and were pleasantly surprised that a mass had recently begun. So we stayed for the rest of the mass and afterward took a detailed walk inside and took a lot of photos of the wonderfully decorated church. Very historical

there is a big renovation going on but it is worth to visit this church. Location is in the middle of the historic center. Safe place to visit.

The church was on reconstruction and I couldn't see much. But there is nothing special about it except that it's part of the charming historical centre.

This church is not in peak shape right now, but still has a wonderful feel to it. Make sure to spend time in it and then go through the monastery next door which includes a side loop into the choir area of the church (from which you get a much better sense of its architectural beauty and the truly sublime work on the ceiling).

You can't go to Quito and not have a peek inside it's magnificent churches... and this one is not one to miss!Take the time to look at all the paintings, they're really stunning.

A great value museum is a hidden gem in this building; however, I recommended you take a Spanish guide with you to get the most out of the visit.

Went here as part of our tour of the old town. Very beautiful church undergoing lots of external restoration. We could not take pictures inside, but it was worth a a visit.

The church is under renovation, so be open minded and ready to visit some of the other ones until this very special place is restored.

It is an impressive cathedral and worth visiting for the vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and the remarkable gold leaf applied to seemingly every surface available. Does make you wonder how the clergy and laity spent their time when there was less media distraction.Unfortunately, there was also quite a bit of much needed restoration going on behind protective curtains so the full impact was reduced. However, it was interesting to see how the workers were approaching their tasks.The exterior plaza is also impressive with its expansive ground and slow rising steps. The stone pavers seem to stretch like a great plain in all directions. Once you leave this field and enter the narrow streets around, you recognize what an oasis this plaza and its church are in the bustling city with all its opportunities to purchase goods to take home.