Virgin of the Panecillo — Attraction in Centro Histórico

Perched atop the majestic El Panecillo hill in Quito, Ecuador, stands the awe-inspiring statue of the Virgin of El Panecillo, a symbol of both religious devotion and cultural heritage.

Ascending the hill, visitors are treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the sprawling city below, making the journey itself a memorable experience. At the summit, the towering statue of the Virgin Mary, crafted with intricate detail and grace, commands attention and reverence.Aside from its religious significance, the Virgin of El Panecillo offers a unique vantage point to admire Quito's stunning architecture, with its colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers blending seamlessly against the backdrop of the Andean mountains.

Exploring the area around the statue, visitors can immerse themselves in Ecuadorian culture through the colorful displays of local artisans selling handicrafts and souvenirs. It's a perfect opportunity to support the indigenous communities and take home a piece of Ecuadorian craftsmanship.Additionally, the site is well-maintained, with informative plaques providing insight into the history and significance of the monument, enhancing the overall educational experience.

While the climb to reach the Virgin of El Panecillo may be steep, the reward of witnessing this iconic symbol in person, coupled with the breathtaking views it offers, makes it a journey well worth undertaking.

Whether you're a devout pilgrim or a curious traveler, a visit to the Virgin of El Panecillo is an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Quito's rich...

Hiked up the stairs to Virgin of the Panecillo all by myself. Along the way I talked to about 10 people (old, genuinely nice elders) about safety of walking up. They all told me that it's dangerous and recommended that I take the bus or taxi up.

Not heeding their advice I kept pushing upward through the stairs because the space is very open that I can spot shady people approaching me from afar. I got to the last stretch/flight of stairs where the stairs are now sandwiched narrowly between the many houses cluster together on the hill side. The Virgin statue is about 100 meters through the stairs directly in front and above me at this point, super close, looming over me. But I didn't want to take any chance of getting ambushed along the narrow corridor with limited visibility.

I decided to abandon the stairs and walked the paved road instead, hoping finding safety with the cars passing by. Unfortunately it's a weekday, and only one car every 5 minutes or so, very deserted.

After about a 5 minutes on the road, behind me there were 3 trails that bad guys from up the hill could descend and blocked my retreat. This is when I called it quit, and made my way down.

Here are the pictures taken along the way, sometimes looking ahead, sometimes looking...

The statue itself is interesting, as it's made from many aluminium panels, which is rare. It is apparently a copy of an earlier statue. But the real reason to visit this statue is to see the 360° views of Quito from the top of the El Panecillo mountain. It takes about an hour to walk to the top from the base of the mountain, but I was warned by locals that it is dangerous to do that, because of high chance of robbery on the way. I took a taxi, which just cost $3, but I didn't see any sign of danger on the way and believe that it would have been ok, but don't take my word for it... it's always better to be safe than sorry. At the top, there are a plethora of stalls selling food and souvenirs. It seems that you can actually go inside the statue, although when I went, it was closed for lunch disappointingly. Nonetheless, the views of the city from around the statute are still impressive, as you can see from my photos. The statue can be seen for miles across Quito and it's well with a visit. For once, there is no charge to ascend this mountain and take your photos of the city. I'd recommend...