Plaza San Blas, Quito

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❖Plaza San Blas, Quito, Ecuador, 2015[open in full screen]

Previous Plaza de la Periodistas, Quito, Ecuador

At the beginning of the 20th century, this plaza marked the northern limit of the city. Incredible to think how the city has since extended north. The plaza has a simple, but beautiful church which was founded in 1568 and together with the graveyard on the north side, is dedicated for the exclusive use of the local indigenous people. In 2013 as a part of revitalization of this plaza statue of Francisco Febres Cordero [Hermano Miguel], eminent educator and religious personality.

He was canonized by John Pope Paul II in 1984, and his staue was placed on the upper level of the plaza. It is standing where the entrance to the old city once was.

History of this space is unfortunately spoiled by the fact that Cacique leader Jumandy, one of the great South American heroes, fighting for his people's freedom, was hunted and searched for by Spanish solders and eventually in 1578 captured and taken to Quito.

Jumandy was sentenced to death and hung alongside other three Cacique leaders, Beto, Guami and Imbate, where the Plaza de San Blas now lies.

❖ Photos and description by
Ken Grunberg & Una Janicijevic,
VR by urbansquares

Next Plaza san Francisco, Quito, Ecuador

❖..c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ... s y s t e m..❖
more about evaluation method		more about types of squares
sociability	9	ceremonial	x
uses & activities	9	religious	x
access & linkages	9	social	x
comfort	9	residential	x
image	9	court yard	x
tourist value	8	with park	x
total	53	street, shopping	x