Plaza de la Independencia
Another Best Place To Visit In Quito is The Plaza de la Independencia. The Plaza de la Independencia, which links the downtown area of Montevideo with the Ciudad Vieja, is the city's most significant square. Quito's neighborhood of Plaza de Independencia is what earned this Inca city the UNESCO seal of recognition. It is referred described as "the best-preserved, least changed historic center in Latin America" by the agency. Here you can find the Palacio Salvo and the Teatro Sols, two of the city's most well-known landmarks. The José Artigas Mausoleum, which contains the bones of the man who declared Uruguay's independence from Spain at the start of the 19th century, dominates the formal square's center.
Eloy Alfaro, the president of Ecuador, granted numerous requests from the local government to build a monument in the Plaza to honor the 100th anniversary of the "first cry of freedom" In 1898, it was decided to replace the fountain, which had been relocated to the southwest corner of the square, with a French sculpture. The "Independence Monument" was revealed and the colonial name, "Plaza Grande," was changed to "Plaza de la Independencia" in a public ceremony in 1906.
It is ideal to set aside at least a half-day to explore Plaza de la Independencia, starting with a trip to the Metropolitan Cathedral and finishing with some retail therapy at Palacio Arzobispal. Be sure to pause for the 11 a.m. changing of the guards at the Palacio de Carondelet, the presidential palace, if you're there on Monday. After that, visit the palace and have a meeting with Guillermo Lasso, the current leader. Visitors must spend some time in one of Quito's well-liked plazas where people congregate. Take in the local customs and see how people interact. Buskers and street food sellers are also included in the available activities.
Address: Calle Venezuela, Quito, Pichincha
Phone: +593 2-257-0123
Opening hours: unknown
Rating: 4.5/5.0, 1495 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: http://www.quito.com.ec/que-visitar/centro-historico/plaza-grande-y-sus-alrededores
