El Panecillo

---

After we walked through the Museo de Banco Central we took a nice taxi ride through Quito up to El Panecillo (the virgin statue at the top of the mountain). She is beautiful from far away, but even more stunning up close. The views of Quito from the panecillo are amazing. There is also a nice underground museum inside one of the water collection devices.

---

Photos

The Virgin Frontview
El Panecillo (the virgin) is a major landmark in the capital city of Quito. You can see her from almost everywhere in the city. She is the focus of most traditional art that is painted in Quito.

Making the Virgin
You can climb to an observation deck inside the virgin. There are three levels that you can stop and read about the history of the construction of the virgin. This is one of several pictures of the process of construction.

Water Collection Device
This is a view from above. You walk down below the water collection device and walk through a tunnel to see the museum inside.

Water Collection Device
This is inside the museum looking out.

Water Collection Device 2
They have painted all the walls on the inside of the water collection device.

Statues in the Tunnel
This is the entrance to the museum under the water collection device.
These are the same types of statues that we have infront of our apartment building.

Statues in the Tunnel
This is the entrance to the museum under the water collection device.

Virgin in the Museum
This is the virgin you encounter as you enter the water collection device.

Inside the Tunnel
This is a view from inside the tunnel of the museum looking out onto the city of Quito.

Christmas Nativity Lights
We tried to take a photo of the nativity scene at Christmas for everyone. This is a close up of the manger animals that light up at night.

Effigies at the Panecillo
Many cars/trucks had their Ano Viejo effigies attached to drive around town. These effigies were burned on New Years Eve.

Quito View 2
I believe the mountain in the background is Cotacatchi

View of the Basilica
The Basilica (large church in the center) is one of the more famous landmarks in Quito. This picture is taken from the Panecillo.

Sponge Bob or Bobby Esponge
Well the kids enjoy different activities at the Panecillo.