Hey there my Steemit friends. I've done several posts on the most historic building in the country of Ecuador; the Basilica Gothic Cathedral in the capital city of Quito. This post I saved for last. Is it a "Travel Pro Place of Interest" or "Travel Pro Adventure"? Well, it is certainly a little of both and I'm so happy to share it with my Steemit friends!
First a little background on this building. The architecture was designed by a Frenchmen there for it has that old French European Gothic look to it. Construction of the building began in the late 1880s and they say to this very day it has never been completed. I believe this to be true as there is a second bell tower on the other side of the cathedral that was blocked due to construction or at least some serious repairs were being worked on.
The inside of the Cathedral is gorgeous. There are dozens of stained glass windows which I highlighted in several posts. The huge stone pillars going up the main isle have incredible life size statues of biblical figures hanging off of them. The inside is so spacious there is one exhibit after another lining the walls; everything from wax figures, to artifacts, to very old portraits.
On the outside of the building you can see gargoyles looking down on the courtyard. The place in general is enormous and has a very eerie mid-evil Gothic vibe. We start this part of our journey in the courtyard looking up at our destination, the bell tower. Now let's find our way up there, let's go!
Being fluent in Spanish is a real asset when visiting Latin America. I actually learned Spanish when I was traveling around this country for two years as I was establishing residency here. The sign says Ecuadorians pay one dollar and foreigners pay two.
Since I'm a permanent resident of this country through an investors visa I just had to show my Ecuadorian ID and I paid one dollar. One should note that Ecuador is one of the few countries in the world that has fully adopted the United States dollar as their national currency.
This one dollar ticket gave me access to the upper floors. Earlier I paid a two dollar entry fee to enter the main area of the cathedral. So they kind of get you twice but for three dollars I'd consider it a bargain. The cathedral must take a lot of money to maintain and they say all the money collected goes towards that expense.
I preferably would have taken the old staircases up to the top. Climbing through these narrow, cold, stone, mid-evil staircases that are over 130 years old I'm sure would have been an experience on it's own; but at least I won't tire out on my way up!
We are dropped off way up on the second floor. There is a balcony near by. We walk out and a kind gentleman offers to take my photo.
The view from the balcony is facing south towards the enormous hilltop statue of the Angel of the Apocalypse. The entire city, country, and basically all of Latin America is Catholic. So to see these religious monuments and structures geographically and geometrically laid out across the city is no surprise but is still very impressive.
We go back inside and look over the edge and see the main area of the cathedral below us.
We get back into the elevator and go to the top, the third floor. Obviously the floors are not spaced out like an office building. It takes a good moment for the elevator to climb to the highest point it goes. From here we are on foot to the bell tower.
The sign warns no one pregnant, elderly, or children should go beyond this point. Fortunately for me I'm not a child, elderly, and I'm certainly not pregnant! lol Non the less seeing this caged off area I get a little nervous thinking what is ahead.
The wooden narrow catwalk shakes and creeks as we go across it. I try to climb the extremely vertical stairs while filming, but that was just too dangerous as I needed both hands.
Just look how steep these stairs are. Here we encounter a tourist from Ireland. He says "Wait until you go around the corner. I hope you are not afraid of heights!"
Before we head up to the highest point we have an opportunity to take a couple photos. Then we come around the corner and see what the guy from Ireland was talking about.
We made it to the bell tower! Talk about a steep and narrow stair case! I must say that certainly got my heart pumping just a bit as I do have a slight fear of heights, but not as bad as some people. Half way up the stairs you're kind of just hanging out over nothing hundreds of feet up in the air.
There were several other tourists in the bell tower. One was kind enough to take this photo of me. We spend a good twenty minutes up here just breathing in the fresh air and looking out upon the city in all 360 degrees around. It really is breathtaking.
Before heading back down the same way we came up. I make sure to take a bunch of photos. I don't know what was more exciting, getting up to the bell tower or just hanging out inside of it.
Before exiting the building we return to the second floor and find a staircase that leads up to a balcony where we are able to capture this photo of the bell tower we just visited.
We exit the Basilica and walk into the park area in front of this towering building. We look back and take one last photo and think to ourselves that was one incredible place. I just want to thank all my Steemit friends for coming along and exploring the Basilica Gothic Cathedral Bell Tower with me! Until next time -Dan "World Travel Pro!"
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