| When the Inca king Atahualpa was killed in Cajamarca | | | | bullfights, with the participation of more Spanish |
| and the Spanish Conquistadors advanced towards | | | | "matadors" than local ones. During the week of |
| Quito, the city was evacuated and set on fire. It was | | | | festivities Quito lives a Spanish fiesta, with flamenco |
| on the ashes of the Inca city that Sebastián de | | | | dancers, manzanilla drinking, people wearing the typical |
| Benalcázar founded San Francisco de Quito, on top | | | | Spanish hats to the bullfights and afterwards, enjoying |
| of the few ruins left him. The founding date, December | | | | long lunches with the most famous delicacies of the |
| 6, 1534, is celebrated annually with the Fiestas de Quito. | | | | Spanish cuisine to delight local palates. |
| The celebration of the Quito's Spanish foundation lasts | | | | Throughout the week, open sided buses called chivas, |
| a whole week, among parades with floats, dancing in | | | | take groups of friends who climb to the roof to party, |
| the streets, people 'riding the roof' of the chiva buses, | | | | singing, dancing and drinking, accompanied by music |
| the bullfight season (a tradition introduced by the | | | | bands. Many chivas run along the streets of the city in |
| Spanish), the election of the Queen of Quito and a | | | | this festive mood. |
| number of cultural activities. The world championship of | | | | Quito is a blessed spot cradled in the Andes at the |
| "40", a card game played only in Ecuador is an | | | | foot of Pichincha Volcano. It has the largest and one |
| important part of the festivity. | | | | of the best-preserved historical centers in South |
| The Saturday before the start of the Fiestas, the | | | | America, since the modern part of the city developed |
| Quiteños of all the different barrios, broom in hand, | | | | to the north, leaving the existing colonial treasures |
| clean and sweep the city; the example is set by the | | | | intact. In the last two years, the city's government |
| novices of Monastery of San Francisco who come | | | | invested an important sum in renovations, which is |
| out and sweep the traditional San Francisco Square in | | | | showcased in the new brilliance of the historical core's |
| Quito Historic downtown. | | | | buildings, which offer a myriad of classic architectural |
| The central event during this celebration are the | | | | styles. Come and celebrate with us! |