1. Home
  2. Ecuador
  3. Quito
  4. Mysteries & legends

Quito · Mysteries & legends

Quito of devils, roosters and ghosts

Quito is a city of legends told by grandparents to grandchildren. This route heads downhill from the Basilica to La Ronda following the best-known tales, plus a real mystery or two, such as the archbishop poisoned in 1877. At every stop we separate what is documented from what belongs to tradition. It's perfect for the late afternoon, ending with dinner in La Ronda.

  • 6 stops
  • 1.9 km
  • 1 h 50 min
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
Rooster-shaped weather vane on a dome of Quito Cathedral

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 Basilica of the National VowA Gothic cathedral with iguanas and tortoises instead of gargoyles, and a prophecy: the day it's finished, the world will end.
  2. 2 House 1028 and the legend of Bella AuroraQuito's most beautiful girl dreamed of her death every night, until a black bull recognised her in the bullring.
  3. 3 Metropolitan Cathedral and the rooster on the domeA rooster on the dome that punishes drunkards, and an archbishop poisoned in the middle of Good Friday mass.
  4. 4 La Compañía: the painted Hell and Quito's saintA young woman who offered her life to stop the earthquakes, and a painting of Hell to greet the faithful.
  5. 5 The atrium of San Francisco and the legend of CantuñaAn Indigenous builder sold his soul to the devil to finish the atrium on time, and was saved by a single stone.
  6. 6 La Ronda street and the Virgin of El PanecilloThe street of bohemians, serenades and secret bars, beneath the gaze of a winged Virgin.

Loading the map…

Start with GPS

Guide mode

Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

Quito of devils, roosters and ghosts

Quito legends

Cantuña and the devil, the Cathedral rooster and Bella Aurora of house 1028.

Real mysteries

An archbishop poisoned on Good Friday and a basilica that is never finished.

Finale in La Ronda

The street of serenades, beneath the winged Virgin of El Panecillo.

Keep exploring

More routes in Quito

Back to Quito
HistoryFrom Rumiñahui's fire to the cry of 1809 MixedThe best of Quito in one morning

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Quito?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Quito in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Quito in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Quito in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary