Loja
has a wealth
of tranquil
plazas and
leafy avenues.
The main square,
Parque
Central,
is bordered
by the Cathedral
with its eye-catching
statues, and
by the Museo
de Banco Central,
home to a
small archeological
collection
[open
Monday to
Friday 9am
to 4pm].
Plaza San
Francisco,
at Bolivar
and Colon,
and Plaza
San Sebastian
[or
de la Independencia]
are also colourful
pockets of
Lojan life.
Amid the colonial
buildings,
Loja's independence
from Spain
was declared
in 1820. Near
the pretty
church
of Santo Domingo,
on Bolivar
and Rocafuerte,
look for the
Almacen
Turistico
Artesanal
which sells
a good range
of locally-made
ceramics.
Also of interest
is the Jardin
Botanico
housed within
the national
universtiy
at the south
end of town.
Open 9am to
4pm weekdays
and 1pm to
5pm at weekends.
For a great
view of the
city and an
enjoyable
stroll, head
to the Virgen
de Loja
statue by
following
Rocafuerte
east across
the Rio Zamora.
If you're
craving colonial
art, you could
visit the
Convento
de las Conceptas
— but you'll
have to get
a permit from
the Bishop
of Loja to
see the collection.
The big annual
celebrations
take place
on September
8th for the
crowd-pulling
Virgen
del Cisne
processions.
Loja's independence
day is on
November 18th,
and the town's
founding anniversary
on December
8th.
Last
updated 19th
July 2006
| |Article contributed by Dominic Hamilton||| |
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