The church is also known as "Iglesia de la Compañìa de Jesùs" and is listed as the masterpiece of the American Baroque (also known as the jewel of America). Note: Baroque art was characterized by a preference for formal complication, curved shapes and abundance of ornaments; The American architectural Baroque was reflected above all in religious buildings, as this Church shows:

The great patrimonial importance of the historic center of Quito, the largest and best preserved of the colonial era in America, made it worthy of being the first place declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, back in 1978. And within this heritage, the most prominent place is occupied by churches.

Started to build in 1605, it took 160 years to be completely finished (Wow!)... It is a large church, whose vault of the central nave is 26 meters high; but, what is going to leave you amazed is to see it completely covered, gold! ... Well, indeed, it is a gold leaf cover, with thin sheets of 23 carats in each centimeter of the church. It is estimated that in total it should conserve up to one ton of gold. This was the way that the Jesuits had to try to attract the Indians to come to the church and thus assume the Catholic religion (interesting strategy!)

The gold was contributed by the indigenous families who thus "bought" places so that their children could go in the future to the new Jesuit university that was later built. The history that is woven around such important works as this is incredible.

Definitely, this would be a spectacular visit that just to make it worth traveling to Quito.