Archbishop’s Palace

You’re now standing in front of the Palacio Arzobispal, the Archbishop’s Palace, the official home of Quito’s archbishop and the headquarters of the city’s Metropolitan Archdiocese. When the city’s parish was founded in 1535, the country you’re visiting today didn’t even exist. Back then, this region was part of the Royal Court of Quito, under the Viceroyalty of Peru. The Church here was first overseen by the bishoprics of Panama, then Cuzco, and later Lima. That changed in 1545, when Pope Paul III created the Bishopric of San Francisco de Quito and appointed a bishop from Toledo. Naturally, he needed somewhere to live and work, hence, a residence. But his home didn’t look like the building you see today. In 1775, the building was redesigned in a neoclassical style by Spanish architect Antonio Garcia, the same man who worked on the Carondelet Palace just to the left. Then, in 1970, it was rebuilt again, this time to make it structurally safer. But if you look further back, to the 16th century, Church and State were closely linked, and major decisions were often made right here. These days, the back courtyard has been turned into a shopping center. The grand staircase at the entrance still leads to the archdiocese’s offices, which you’re welcome to visit. The chapel, however, is now used by the secular clergy, that is priests who live and work among regular folks. It houses some remarkable pieces from the Quito School of Art, though access is restricted to authorized personnel. Even so, walking through the shopping area is a real treat, with its gorgeous Andalusian-style patios and charming arcades. The cafés, restaurants, and little shops tucked away in the galleries make it a perfect spot to take a break in the middle of Quito’s historic heart.