A Trip to the Basilica

 Basilica of the National Vow

The basilica is the most important work of neo-Gothic Ecuadorian architecture and is one of the most representative of the Americas. It is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the New World. The building is noted for its grotesques in the form of native Ecuadorian animals such as armadillos, iguana, and Galapagos tortoises.
The Basilica is 140 m (460 ft) long and 35 m (115 ft) wide. It is 30 m (98 ft) high in the sanctuary, 15 m (49 ft) high in the votive chapels, 74 m (243 ft) high in the transept, and 115 m (377 ft) high in the two frontal towers. In the sanctuary, there are fourteen bronze images representing eleven apostles and three evangelists. In the crypt, there is a pantheon containing the remains of several heads of state.

This is public portable bathroom with a vendor selling shoe laces.  I was never so glad in my life to have found this bathroom.  On our way back from the hike down into the volcano we were on the bus for about 2 hours.  I thought I was fine when we got on the bus but after 2 hours I was in mortal pain and told Dad I HAD to get off the bus and find a bathroom.  We were in Quito and we got off the bus and were looking desperately for a bathroom.  I was even to the point of praying!!  A minute or 2 later there was the bathroom with a sign that for 20 cents you could get some toilet paper.  I was willing to pay whatever was necessary!!  The cute lady sitting outside the bathroom is in charge of keeping it clean and it was!!  There was even electricity, an added bonus!!!  The Lord really does answer even the smallest prayers!!!

Some street views on the way to the Basillica!

Some beautiful architecture but it has been tagged with spray paint.

The Basillica.

Some of the gargoyles.

Can you see some of the different gargoyles that are from Ecuador?

The front of the church.  We had to pay $4 to get in.  While we were there there was a service and about 15 worshippers.  I don't know if they had to pay to worship.

A confessional.

Some famous people are buried here in the church.

Beautiful ceinling.

The prayer a person says during confession.

Lots of figues of Mary.

One of the views looking down the side of the church.  It is HUGE!

Another view looking from the back to the front.

Lots of stained glass windows depicting the life of the Savior.

This must be a depiction of Mary from Ecuador.  Notice the hat.

This is where you could put money after saying a prayer to a special saint.  They were all over the church.

This was an interesting sign.  It says in case of emergency for baptism, confession, blessings on the sick and communion you can call 365 days a year this telephone number from 10 at night until 6 in the morning.

Places to say special prayers, light candles and pay money in the little black round container.

Some of the architecture outside.

Large square surrounding church and those doors are business offices.

We think this is a picture of Adam and Eve in the garden being blessed by Heavenly Father and Jesus. 

A beautiful stained glass window.

A view looking down into the chapel.

A view from the church steeple.

A view as we were climbing up to the top.

As we were climbing up all these stairs all of a sudden we were in a store selling things from Ecuador!

We had to walk this narrow walkway on our way up some very steep ladders to get to the top.  It was one way traffic only!!

Some of the views from the top!

A view of Quito.

The clock on the right was the correct time.  I don't know if the one on the left was not working or was indicating the time somewhere else in the world.

Heading back home.  Waiting for the bus.  Had to pay 12 cents for the bus fare.

This was the name of the bus stop.  I couldn't resist taking a picture with Dad's name on it!!!