Located on the hill El Panecillo, image is 45 meters high is venerated by local Catholics;a panoramic view of Quito is also attractive for tourists

Jessica Marcal
Special envoy to Quito

El Panecillo is a religious site well known in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Located about at an altitude of about three thousand meters [9900 feet], those who visit the hill can venerate the image of the Winged Virgin, also known as Our Lady of Revelation.

The image was created by Spanish artist Agustín de la Herran Matorras. It is 45 meters [148 feet] high and consists of more than seven thousand pieces of aluminum. Building the monument began on November 4, 1955 and was inaugurated on March 28, 1975. The picture is much venerated by Catholics of Quito.

The monument also attracts the curios of tourists. Blanca Cecilia Marques Barreto is from Colombia and is in Quito during the visit of Pope Francisco, which begins on Sunday, 5.

“It’s a wonderful image. We hope she continues interceding with God the Father for all of us in Colombia and the world, because I have grandchildren also studying in other countries. “

Although a resident of Quito, the young Erica Cevallos was at the monument for the first time this Friday, July 3. She highlighted, in addition to the grandeur of the image, the support given to tourists with information about the monument.

“From here we can see the whole city of Quito, the North and the South. And for the people who are Christian it is great because you can read, learn about how it was constructed, etc”.

El Panecillo is considered one of the highest points of the Ecuadorian capital.