Church and Convent of San Francisco
The Church of San Francisco (Iglesia de San Francisco) located in the historic center of Ecuador's capital, Quito, is not only the oldest and most significant religious site in Ecuador, but one of the oldest churches in South America. The church also forms part of the City of Quito World Heritage Site and the first site ever inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. Interestingly, the top sections of the church’s baroque-styled structure bell towers were destroyed during an earthquake in 1868; they were never rebuilt to their original height.
Built by Brother Jodoco Ricke for the Order of the Franciscan Monks (1537-1560), the convent
complex continues to be home to the Franciscan Monks.