Modern Quito
Modern Quito
HOUSE OF MUSIC
CASA TOLEDO
It is a center of art and culture where it was also the home of the Ecuadorian actress Valentina Pacheco. She had hosted for many years musicians, actors and painters, who rehearsed and created characters, among many other tasks in the arts. Now, this a cozy and charming place where artistic performances take place.
Each month, a varied cultural calendar is structured, presenting different theatrical and artistic shows. Monthly art cycles have also been organized, such as Dance Month in April 2016, where the Independent Dance Front was present with its director Terry Araujo; María Luisa González under the direction of Jorge Mateus, El Pez Dorado under the direction of Jorge Alcolea; The National Dance Company of Ecuador with three choreographies, «Insania», «Inasible» and «Brecha»; and Kléver Viera with his work «El Niño del Floripondio». Then the Month of Magic and the First Art Fair were organized, to bring the community closer to this work.
Recognized groups and actors have passed through the stages of Casa Toledo, such as: Ensayo Theater, Dionysos Drag Theater, Monserrat Astudillo, Vïctor Hugo Gallegos, José Pacheco, Pancho Aguirre, Juana Estrella, Charlie Calvache, Alexandra Cabanilla, María Beatriz Vergara, Santiago Naranjo, Eduardo Mosquera, Daniel Moreno, Carolina Piechestein, Frank Bonilla, Ana María Balarezo, among many others. Additionally, Casa Toledo creates its own productions such as «The Test» and «Friends» by Jorge Alberto G Fernández, and «Anonymous Direction» directed by Fruzan Seifi.
Casa Toledo is a new cultural offer in the city, to promote and strengthen all kinds of artistic expression. Check their schedule; plays are the most frequently performed events, as are exhibitions and concerts. It is a playful space where national and international talent are exhibited. It is located in La Floresta, one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in the city. Casa Toledo joins the artistic community with art workshops. You can enjoy some time in their Coffee Shop as well.
JARDÍN BOTÁNICO
The Botanical Garden is one of the visits that many people hope to make in the city. Its gardens offer a tour of the different microclimates and diversity of Quito. There are permanent exhibitions, such as the beautiful Orchid House.
Located in the heart of La Carolina Park, this space is home to more than two thousand species of plants that grow in the paramo and in the Ecuadorian tropical zone. In fact, this place was created to celebrate that Ecuador is one of the countries with the greatest diversity of plant species in the world. In this space, the most important flora habitats are shown, among which are the Andes wetland, the cloud forest, the paramo and the montane dry scrub. The different thematic gardens, the small Andean lagoon and the orchid garden are among the main attractions of the Botanical Garden, with a total area of 18,600 square meters and three kilometers of cobbled paths. Aquatic and swamp plants and bromeliads are also exhibited. Orchids, (4,100 species have been discovered in the country), are one of the great attractions. The Botanical Garden has about 3,000 species in two greenhouses, one for hot orchids and one for cold orchids.
PATIO DE COMEDIAS
It has been open in Quito since 1980 and is an example of a place for the national art scene. It has a room with capacity for 100 people that offers a permanent guide with plays for children and adults.
This space is a private initiative of a group of theater lovers and professionals. It is among the most important in the country for its innovative repertoire. All kinds of arts are brought to the stage, including drama, dance, pantomime and music, by both Ecuadorian and foreign artists. There put together several workshops throughout the year. There are plans to make it a cultural center in its own right.
MEXICO THEATER
This was an old cinema, a historical reflection of the rise of Mexican cinema and the relevance of the railway in the life of Quiteños in the mid-20th century, it is in front of the Railway Station. Teatro México is today one of the most modern theaters in the country.
It is located in the México neighborhood. Historically, it was part of the great circuit of theaters and hotels of the Mantilla family, who arranged their properties to accommodate, among the guests, the artists who presented a show in their facilities. In its beginnings it was a cinema that was later adapted to be a theater. Its first name was Cine México and opened in 1945. It offered mostly Mexican films (for just 5 sucres -our old currency-).
Since it was rehabilitated by the former Cultural Heritage Salvage Fund (FONSAL) and reopened in June 2008 with modern architectural lines, it has become one of the benchmarks for the performing arts in Quito. It is part of the Fundación Teatro Nacional Sucre, which also manages the Teatro Sucre, the Teatro Variedades, the Mama Cuchara Cultural Center, the Casa de la Fundación and the Café del Teatro. It has a capacity of 500 people and is one of the few theaters in Quito with contemporary alternative theater systems and technology.
Source: Fundación Teatro Nacional Sucre.
TELEFÉRIQO
Climb more than 3,000 meters above sea level and admire the city, in the middle of the monumental Andean mountain range. There is no better place to do it!
Today anyone can venture to the Pichincha, the geological massif that rises to the west of the city of Quito, thanks to the city’s Cable Car: Telefériqo, which takes you to Cruz Loma in a matter of minutes, while admiring the view of Quito. If the day is clear, you will be able to observe snow-capped mountains such as Cayambe, Antisana and Cotopaxi in all their splendor, as well as all the «back» that forms the Andean mountain range on the country’s geography. And of course, be sure to ask for a cup of hot chocolate or coffee to deal with the cold of paramo (you are 4,000 meters above sea level!).
You can also take a mountain bike on the Telefériqo and go down to experience a dizzying downhill back into town.
VIVARIUM
The reptiles and amphibians housed in this small colonial-style house in the middle of La Carolina Park are always fascinating for children. Perhaps the bravest can even touch a snake!
It is the largest exhibition of live reptiles and amphibians in Ecuador, a specialized mini zoo, which has 40 species and 120 animals. The emblematic animals are boas, iguanas, turtles and a small collection of foreign animals such as the great pythons of Asia, colorful snakes, and even alligators. The Vivarium has six aquariums and 90% of the fauna is Ecuadorian. As part of the Gustavo Orcés Herpetological Foundation, the Vivarium develops research projects with temporary exhibitions in other cities in the country.
SHORT PLANNER
If you have a morning:
- Quito Botanical Garden
- Telefériqo Quito
- Chapel of Man
If you have a day:
- Quito Botanical Garden + Capilla del Hombre + Chocolate Tasting at Casa Pacari + Patio de Comedias
- Telefériqo Quito + Rumipamba + La Floresta + Casa Toledo
- Routes of La Mariscal + Guápulo + Casa de la Música
If you have two or three days:
- La Carolina Park + Iñaquito Market + Quito Botanical Garden + Quicentro Shopping
- Chapel of Man + Chocolate Tasting at Casa Pacari + Ecuador Gourmet Gallery + Guápulo Viewpoint
- Telefériqo Quito + Rumipamba Archaeological Park + La Mariscal + Mexico Theater
- +593 2993300
- mercadeo@quito-turismo.gob.ec
-
Pasaje Oe3 Río Amazonas N51-20 y Calle N50B
Antiguo Aeropuerto, Quito
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© All rights reserved
Quito Turismo - Visit Quito
- +593 2993300
- mercadeo@quito-turismo.gob.ec
- Passage Oe3 Río Amazonas N51-20 and N50B Street. Old Airport, Quito
© All rights reserved
Quito Turismo - Visit Quito