How to visit the National Basilica (Quito); schedule, prices

Go up to the Panecillo It is the first visit you should make in your trip to Quito, because it will allow you to have spectacular panoramic views of the historic center.

In that panoramic view there is a building that will surely catch your attention due to its great architectural contrast with the historic buildings of Quito more significant.

This is the Basilica of the National Vow, a church of neo-gothic style that you can see how it rises to the bottom of the historic center of the Ecuadorian capital.

Precisely one of the great attractions of the visit of Quito is to be able to see their history colonial churches, like the The company, with its splendorous interior covered in pan de oro, wave of San Francisco, in the large square of the same name.

That is why it is more “shocking” to find a church of that neogothic architectural style, which was also completed and consecrated in 1988, 30 years ago.

In this regard you should know that the National Basilica is considered as the largest neogothic temple in America.

Leaving aside the limited architectural interest of the building, the truth is that if you have time during your stay in Quito, you will surely be interested in visiting it.

And even more so knowing that you can climb one of its bell towers from where you will have the opposite panoramic views of Quito, with the bun the background.

That was the case during my recent trip to the Ecuadorian capital, when I took the opportunity to get close to the Basilica with the intention of climbing its towers, given that it is also very close to the historic center.

Curiosities history National Basilica of Quito

From the almost complete National Basilica of Quito The first stone was laid in 1892, after the decision to build it during the time of president Gabriel Garcia Moreno.

Now when you get to visit it you will see a building that to some extent will remind you of Gothic cathedrals like the one in Burgos or of Notre Dame de Paris.

With a length of 150 meters and a width of 35 meters, its central nave also has a height of 35 meters.

For their part, the two towers that rise above the main façade reach almost 80 meters.

How to climb the towers of the National Basilica of Quito

During your visit, in addition to being able to tour the interior of its ship, you can climb a tower, but not those mentioned on the main façade.

Specifically, you will climb a lower arrow-shaped tower located above the transept.

Of course, I tell you that it is not a climb suitable for people who suffer from vertigo.

At the entrance you will go up by elevator to the first level, from where you have a viewpoint that offers you the first panoramic views of the city. city ​​of Quito, with the two towers of the Basilica spotlight.

But to climb to the highest point, you must climb an almost vertical staircase in which there can only be one person at a time.

Of course from there you will have the best panoramic views, as you can see in the photos that accompany this report.

From there, in the distance, you can see the bun, with which you will close the circle of your views of the historic center of Quito.

Visit schedules for the National Basilica of Quito

If you finally dare to approach, you should know that the Visiting hours of the Basilica of Quito They are from Monday to Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 19 p.m., and the schedules to climb the towers of the Basilica of Quito They are, Monday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 16,30 p.m.

How much does the entrance to the Basilica of Quito cost?

El entrance price to visit the Basilica It is 1 US dollar, and to climb the towers, 2 dollars.