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San Francisco de Quito Convent,

Is the main Franciscan church in Quito, located at the plaza of the same name.
There's a local legend that tells that an indigenous man named Cantuña was suppossed to build the church's atrium but the time to build it was short to. Realising that Catacuña wasn't going to finish the work in the agreed time, he sold his soul to the devil in order to finish the work. Then little devils started the construction of the church. Cantuña prayed at the Virgin for him to be saved. The work was finished and when the devil returned in order to see the work finished, he discovered that there was a little stone remaining and therefore the pact became null. Then Cantuña could save his soul. The construction began a few weeks after the founding of Quito in 1534, but the building was not finish until 70 years later.
It is the largest colonial structure in Quito. Althought most of the church has been rebuilt because of earthquake damage, some of it's still original. The main altar of the church is an spectacular example of baroque carving, and the roof and walls are also carved and richly covered in gold leaf. The church contains excelent examples of early religious art and sculpture.
To the right of the main entrance it's located the Franciscan Museum, which contains some of the monastery finest religious artwork.

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Additional Photos by Alex Fan Moniz (LondonBoy) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 33 W: 0 N: 95] (566)
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