How to get there and what to see from El Panecillo, the great viewpoint of Quito

There is no doubt that the best way to have a first approach to your visit of the city of Quito, a Ecuadorit's go up to the Panecillo viewpoint.

Furthermore, this hill that rises above Quito and its neighborhoods, at about 3.000 meters above sea level, is one of the great icons of the city because the monument of the Winged Virgin, also known as the Virgin of Quito.

La city ​​of Quito It extends about 40 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide between various hills and valleys.

You will only be able to appreciate this enormous extension from the Panecillo viewpoint, where the houses will be lost from your sight and nowhere will you see the end of the city that is hidden among the hills that surround it.

How to climb the Panecillo in Quito

To go up to the Panecillo, a hill that rises about 200 meters above it Quito's Historic center, you have the option to sign up for this Complete tour of Quito,

This 6-hour tour will allow you to see the city's most important monuments and corners, and includes a trip to this famous viewpoint and monument, which you will reach by minibus.

Now, if you prefer to go up on a visit on your own, it is best to use the tourist bus.

Or more comfortable if you go up in a taxi that for about 10 dollars he will take you to the viewpoint and wait for you to finish enjoying the spectacular panoramic views and then return to the center.

It is not advisable to go up on foot, on the one hand, because of the fatigue that the city's high altitude will cause, and on the other, because the alleys through which you should ascend do not offer sufficient safety for tourists.

Panoramic views from the Panecillo viewpoint

Once you have reached the viewpoint of The bun, the views of the city are truly impressive, since the hill divides it between the center and the south.

In the foreground, at the foot of the hill to the north, you have the Quito's Historic center, where you can recognize, above all, its churches.

At the bottom you have the new one Basilica of Quito, a temple consecrated in 1988 and in neo-Gothic style.

Much closer it will be easy for you to identify the San Francisco church  through the large square that opens in front of it.

If you look at its large domes, not towers, you will recognize very close to the one Church of the company.

And far in the background, towards the northwest, due to its taller buildings, you can see the most modern area of ​​the city.

In the years of Inca domination this hill was called Yavirac, one of the places of the sacred geography of the city of Cusco.

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century they initially called it Cerro Gordo, and then baptize it as Roll.

Without a doubt, this viewpoint is characterized by the presence of the enormous statue of the aforementioned Winged Virgin.

Monument to the Virgin of Panecillo

It is a monumental replica of the sculpture of the Quito artist Bernardo de Legarda, made in the 18th century.

You can see this one in life size, just 30 centimeters high. in it San Francisco church museum.

The monument is also known as the silver virgin It has a structure made up of up to 7.000 pieces of aluminum.

When you enter the monument to go up to the viewing platform at its base, you will see an exhibition that shows you how the Winged Virgin.

Work of the Spanish artist Agustin de la Herran Matorras, with a height of 45 meters, construction began in 1955 and was not completed until March 1975.

Today, The bun it is one of essential visits in Quito.

Don't be surprised to see numerous stalls remembrances at the foot of the monument of the virgin.

Photos panoramic views of Quito

Here you have more fOthers of the panoramic views of Quito from El Panecillo.