There
are several
tourist attraction
offered by
the province
of Cotopaxi
. Firstly,
the beauty
of the landscape
should be
mentioned,
the snow-capped
peaks, especially
Cotopaxi ,
is probably
the most attractive
feature if
the province.
There are
places steeped
in history,
places to
go fishing,
trekking,
mountain biking,
camping; there
are colourful
markets, folklore,
good hotels,
a 150km asphalted
highway and
262 km of
road networks.
The following
are the most
outstanding
tourist attractions
in the area,
although the
list my no
means is exhaustive:
The
town of Latacunga
The town of
Latacunga
has approx.
40 thousand
inhabitants
and is located
at an altitude
of 2850 metres
with an average
temperature
of 12 degrees
centigrade.
Latacunga
is a beautiful
town with
a lot of hustle
and bustle
on market
days (Saturdays)
but mainly
tranquil and
placid in
its parks,
streets and
plazas the
rest of the
week. In the
past the town
has been destroyed
thanks to
Cotopaxi erupting
but the town
has been reconstructed
and converted
into the pretty,
cosy place
that it is
today. In
the town centre
there is a
cathedral,
whose atrium
is an example
of popular
artisan work.
The church
has an ancient
history dating
back to colonial
times when
the parish
church was
destroyed
twice by two
earthquakes
(1698 and
1757). The
current architectural
style dates
back to 1827
and during
recent years
it has been
completely
restored to
its former
majestic self.
The urban
landscape
consists of
wide streets,
low houses
with interior
patios, unifying
Spanish, indigenous
and modern
styles. There
is a beautiful
panoramic
view which
can be observed
from the Calvario
hill and on
clear days
Cotopaxi can
be seen from
any corner
of the town.
Miraflores
park, which
houses a small
lagoon, is
a popular
meeting place
for the town’s
inhabitants.
Buildings
and Temples
As well as
the cathedral,
next to the
River Yanayacu
is the temple
in honour
of the Virgin
del Salto,
patron saint
against the
plague and
earthquakes.
The church
of Santo Domingo
has much historic
significance
as the patriotic
troops defeated
the Spanish
there, sealing
the town’s
independence.
The church
of Merced
with its beautiful
dome was reconstructed
after the
earthquake
of 1797. The
Virgin ‘Our
Lady of the
Volcano’ is
worshipped
here. The
Institute
of Technology
of the Armed
Forces which
occupies the
building "Artes
y Oficios"
is one of
the most outstanding
republican
buildings
in the town.
This building
was erected
in 1889 on
the site of
the old explosives
factory and
its design
can be attributed
to architect
Francisco
Schmidt. It’s
a beautiful
building with
wide patios,
terraces and
archways.
The Technological
Institute
is carrying
out a valuable
restoration
and conservation
effort on
the building.
Tilipulo
Seven
km away from
Latacunga
is what in
colonial times
was the monastery,
hacienda and
work quarters.
According
to old documents
in 1720 the
Compania de
Jesus, the
most important
religious
order during
this period,
bought “a
ranch in Poalo
called Tilipulo”.
The property
was then acquired
by D. Mariano
Flores Jimenez,
Marquis of
Miraflores.
Patriots from
Quito met
in Tilipulo
and other
places to
plan their
independence
tactics. Its
architectural
ensemble of
patios, terraces,
gardens and
bell tower
evoke a past
of an ancient
rich and powerful
social class.
Lake
Quilotoa (Laguna
del Quilotoa)
The
lake is situated
at an altitude
of 4100 metres
in the volcano’s
crater. The
lake can be
reached from
the path leading
to Pujili.
Pachuzala
Ruins (Ruinas
de Pachuzala)
These
are ruins
of a pre-Colombian
palace, constructed
from volcanic
rock which
has been studied
by numerous
famous visitors
to the area
such as Humboldt.
It is believed
that the building
was reconstructed
by Huayna-Capac.
Tambo
Mulalo
During
the colonial
period Mulalo
was a religious
seat of the
Jesuits. It
was then converted
into a resting
place for
tired travellers
who journeyed
along the
"Camino
Real"
pathway. The
site has its
own small
church which
has been well
restored.
Restaurants
and Hostels
There
are two hostels
in particular
that are of
exceptional
quality: ‘
La Cienega
’ situated
in Laso and
‘Rumipamba’
located in
Las Rosas
in Salcedo.
With regards
to restaurants
El Fogon and
La Carreta
are worth
mentioning,
nevertheless,
the town of
Latacunga
has many popular
places to
eat and enjoy
the speciality
dish of the
region ‘ chugchucaras’
made
with pig skin,
mote
(Andean white
corn), pasties,
fried plantain
and toasted
corn. Roasted
pork, salted
crackers,
cheeses and
confectionary
are other
specialities
of the region.
Folklore
Dancing
is one of
Cotopaxi ’s
most relevant
expressions
of culture.
The most magnificent
dance festival
is that which
takes place
in Pujili.
Dance festivals
in Saquisili,
Salcedo and
Latacunga
are also equally
spectacular.
The mayor
plays a part
in organising
the festivals
several days
in advance.
La
mama negra(The
Black Mama)
This
is Latacunga’s
own traditional
festival.
Not much is
known about
its origins
but researchers
have discovered
the following:
During the
colonial era
black slaves
were imported
to work in
the mines.
A contingent
of these black
slaves arrived
in Latacunga
to work in
the Sigchos
mines causing
heads to turn
in the town.
In 1742 Cotopaxi
erupted and
inhabitants
of the area
proclaimed
it was the
work of the
Virgin of
Mercedes,
celebrating
in her name.
On 24 th September,
which is the
festival of
the Virgin
of Mercedes,
is known in
Latacunga
as the Festival
of the Mama
Negra. In
the street
parades there
are a number
of characters,
the principle
being Mama
Negra. During
this festival
the streets
fill with
music, dance
and folklore.
Last Updated
8th August
2006 (DLW)
