La Compañía de Jesús is a dazzling church. It's considered the most important religious colonial building left by the Spanish and leaves most visitors gobsmacked by its theatricality and luxury. It is covered, nearly tip to toe, in gold leaf. It’s one of the Americas’ greatest examples of baroque or ‘chigurresque’ architecture, and a sight not to be missed on a tour of Quito.

Constructed by the Jesuits in 1605, the church took some 163 years to build and was finished just two years before the Jesuit order was expelled by the Spanish crown. Abandoned until 1807, the church was then entrusted to the Camilo Friars. In 1860 the President at that time finally returned the church to the Jesuits.

In 1868 an earthquake destroyed the beautiful church tower, the tallest in Quito. Another earthquake in 1987 partially destroyed the church resulting in an intense program of restoration. An unfortunate fire in 1996 affected several sections of the restoration works. Following its massive restoration, La Compañía re-opened to the public once again in 2005.

The church is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-4.30pm, Sunday 1.30pm-4.30pm
Prices: Foreigners $2, foreign students $1
Address: Corner of García Moreno and Sucre, Old Town.

Website: www.ficj.org.ec