Quito, the capital city of the South American Republic of Ecuador, is home to some of the most ornate churches in the entire world. Particularly notable are the 17th-Century Jesuit church, named La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, and the 16th-Century church and monastery called the Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco. Take a look at the astonishingly ornate interiors of both of these places of worship:
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La Compañía's standout feature is an enormous central nave (the central part of a church building) covered with no less than seven tons of gold leaf.
The decor is finished off with gilded plaster and wood carvings.
Built over a 160-year period, La Compañía is arguably the finest example of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America.
The Church and Monastery of St. Francis, or Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco, is also completely covered in gold leaf.
It is the largest of the historical structures constructed during the colonial period in Latin America.
The church took a lengthy 70 years to complete, however its style of decoration continued to evolve for a further 150 years.
Enjoy more pictures of its spectacular interiors below:
