Basilica del Voto Nacional, Quito Ecuador
Ticket Office
We are charged $2 each entry, but the ticket office entrance is hard to find. You need to find the side gate, then go to the courtyard at the back. In a way, by selling us this ticket, they say this is fine for a child so in we go. Little did I know later that some parts were not child-friendly at all.
Heading Up
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- ©Exploramum and Explorason –
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- A beautiful church interior
We head up many stairs to get to the balcony overlooking the inside of the church. You can read my previous blog on this separate visit a few weeks ago. Basilica del Voto Nacional took over 100 years to build. It is the largest in Ecuador, and an amazing structure.
Pipe Organ
©Exploramum and Explorason – Basilica del Voto Nacional – the huge pipe organ
No church is complete without a pipe organ. There is a huge pipe organ on wheels within Basilica del Voto Nacional and Explorason tries to give it a nudge without any success.
Beautiful Leadlight and Clock
©Exploramum and Explorason – lovely clock
We first head up to the clock tower. The clock strikes while we are still inside – pretty crazy to be there at that time.
Up we go
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- be prepared for stairs
We then go up a spiral staircase. The top of this staircase has no handle, making it really hard to get up and I get a bit freaked. Finally, I get myself safely positioned, only to realize that I have to exit up again as it is single file traffic.
Incredible View
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- ©Exploramum and Explorason –
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- Basilica del Voto Nacional feeling pleased we have explored this much so far
The view at the top of Basilica del Voto Nacional is pretty wild and is right over Quito. Each direction is amazing in this tower. This is the easy climb tower and I suggest you do this first.
Locked Bells
©Exploramum and Explorason – heading up to the bells
We try to get up to the bells – but there is a locked gate. So down we go again.
Coffee Time
©Exploramum and Explorason – time for a break overlooking Quito.
We knew there was a lovely coffee shop so we head there next. We are there alone and the lady serving us is lovely. She has a few varieties of food available but as it is off-season, much of the menu is not served.
It does worry me regarding safety as there is a huge selection of hot wine and other alcoholic beverages. Not a safe thing for visitors to partake of before a climb – maybe people need it after?
Down To Go Up
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- scary stairs and walkways
He then heads up the first ladder. Trust me – this ladder is easy as it is protected on the inside.
More Ladders
©Exploramum and Explorason – stairway to heaven
But we have people behind us, so we have to go forward. I freeze on the spot partway – it is really, really is scary! However, my son is safely wedged between two adults the whole time.
Hang on!
©Exploramum and Explorason – hang on please, son!
Grafitti
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- lovely rooftop view
Going Down is Worse
©Exploramum and Explorason – before glass was used, round portals were the ‘windows’
We head back down the ladders and stairways. This is the worst part of the day. There is a couple that helps me get down safely with my son and I’m ever so thankful. They encourage him and ensure he can’t fall.
Architecture
©Exploramum and Explorason – Basilica del Voto Nacional
Partway down you can see some detailed architecture of the Basilica del Voto Nacional. All the birds are different on the side of this building.
As we finish our couple of hours here, we walk back to our hotel. We get to buy lunch for $2. If you walk in front of the church and down one block there is a street full of cheap cafés – as you head to the park with the observatory.
Random Acts Of Kindness
We wander back and realize how comfortable we feel in this city of Quito. Soon we will be on our next big journey. But we will be back!
Comments and Questions
- Have you ever found yourself in a tricky situation where the only way is UP?
- What did you do?
- Tell us in the comments below.
