“The historical grandeur of Quito shines with its own splendor in its monuments and in the deeds of its great men, zealously conserved in documents and archives in the libraries and picture galleries of the entire Hispanic world. However, Quito also vibrates with current and present time. The patina of tradition serves as a luster, but the old titles and nobiliary prerogatives were unable to prevent its ankylosis. Conscious of this, Quito is a modern and vigorous city that marches with the present and future of the country and of America. Quito doesn’t shield behind the historical and ceremonial heading of ‘The very noble and very loyal city of San Francisco’: It has taken up the challenge of progress and takes lead as an example for everyone.

For those who care to look, Quito furnishes a pleasant surprise: because there are a few places like it where there lives in singular harmony the Moorish and Hispanic cultures, the discrete indigenous grace with the exuberant Baroque and the eclectic of the beginning of the century with the daring modern structures.” —Ediciones Paralelo Cero