Halloween in Ecuador
Curious about Halloween in Ecuador?
Let's investigate spooky mysteries!
Although Halloween is not a local tradition, in Ecuador, we celebrate this festival in a special and unique way. Join us on a journey through the traditions and story legends of Quito, take one of our tours in Quito that intertwine with the mysterious spirit of Halloween.
Welcome to Old Town Quito Suites, where the magic of Quito meets the comfort of a boutique hotel.
The Legend of Cantuña in Plaza San Francisco
Plaza San Francisco is one of the places you can visit on our Walking Tour, or on other tours in Quito offered by our hotel. This iconic square is home to one most well-known story legends of Quito.
Legend has it that Cantuña, an architect with indigenous roots, couldn’t meet the extremely short deadlines given to him to build the church atrium. But to everyone’s surprise, the work was completed on the specified date. How did he manage it?
An opportunity arose to make a dark pact, where the devil guaranteed him the completion of the work in exchange for his soul. With the help of his devilish servants, they had to finish the work before dawn on the last day. However, clever Cantuña hid a stone under his poncho so the work wouldn’t be considered entirely finished, saving his reputation and his soul as he fooled the devil itself, who reluctantly would have gone back underground.
In addition to this terrifying story, our expert guides will tell you about the colonial history of this architectural gem and Andean culture.
The Legend of the famous Cathedral's "Gallito"
Imagine exploring the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito and finding out there’s a legend on the little wind-compass rooster on its top, saying it protects the bulding. With our tours in Quito, you can visit historical or mythical places like this. When you take your Half Day City Tour, an English-speaking guide will take you through the historic center and tell you the story of our city.
This Quito legend is about the iron rooster that adorns the cathedral’s tower, a very gallant character that descends from its perch to peck at arrogant drunkards passing through the square. All because a wealthy arrogant man named Don Ramón Ayala y Sandoval used to constantly call it out in mocking and defiant manners every time he passed by drunk.
An opportunity arose to make a dark pact, where the devil guaranteed him the completion of the work in exchange for his soul. With the help of his devilish servants, they had to finish the work before dawn on the last day. However, clever Cantuña hid a stone under his poncho so the work wouldn’t be considered entirely finished, saving his reputation and his soul as he fooled the devil itself, who reluctantly would have gone back underground.
This Quito legend is about the iron rooster that adorns the cathedral’s tower, a very gallant character that descends from its perch to peck at arrogant drunkards passing through the square. All because a wealthy arrogant man named Don Ramón Ayala y Sandoval used to constantly call it out in mocking and defiant manners every time he passed by drunk.
An opportunity arose to make a dark pact, where the devil guaranteed him the completion of the work in exchange for his soul. With the help of his devilish servants, they had to finish the work before dawn on the last day. However, clever Cantuña hid a stone under his poncho so the work wouldn’t be considered entirely finished, saving his reputation and his soul as he fooled the devil itself, who reluctantly would have gone back underground.
This Baroque-style construction is located on the south side of Independence Square and is the country’s main Catholic church. This architectural gem is over four hundred years old, so there’s much to learn about its long history, art, and style.
The Legend of Padre Almeida at the Convent of San Diego
Within our tours in Quito, the Full Day City Tour offers you a day with plenty of adventures, among which you get to visit signature destinations, including the Convent of San Diego, on the outskirts of Quito’s Historic Center, where the legend of Padre Almeida awaits you.
This rogue character, as the legend tells us, used to escape from his cloister to party in the city, using the very sculpture of “the Christ in agony” as a ladder to reach the window from which he escaped. The image of the Lord, fed up with Almeida’s cynicism, started asking, “for how long, Padre Almeida?” to which the brazen priest replied, “as long as I get back, my Lord.” His antics didn’t stop until the night he snuck into a wake to partake in the liquor they usually served.
Amidst the confusion, he learns that it’s his own wake, and out of curiosity, he gets a vision of himself inside the coffin, putting an end to his mischievous behavior. From that night on, he corrected his antics. Come and see the places where this interesting story unfolds, and…
The Legend of a Lady under her Veil
Among the story legends of Quito, the one about a Lady under her veil, “Dama Tapada”, is the most intriguing for men, a story that has fascinated the residents of Quito for centuries. The legend goes that a woman shrouded in a dark cloak walks the streets of Quito on full moon nights.
What makes her so peculiar? Her face is always hidden. This wide-hipped woman lures flirtatious men with her sensual walk; she’s a seductress until she reveals her face as a skull, turning the hunter into the prey and chasing them throughout the city. This story leaves us with a moral lesson of loyalty and sobriety for men who consider themselves gallant.
Flee from the Lady under her Veil in Quito by taking one of our tours outside the city, where you’ll find new and diverse adventures and learn about the legends of each enchanted town in this wonderful country. At Old Town Quito Suites, we invite you to explore these fascinating legends while enjoying the comfort and charm of our boutique hotel. Come and discover Quito in a way you’ll never forget.
At Old Town Quito Suites, we invite you to discover the magical and mysterious side of the story legends of Quito this Halloween season. Our tours in Quito will take you through the city’s most intriguing legends while you enjoy the comfort of our elegant rooms and culinary delights.
Make this Halloween an unforgettable experience in Ecuador. Book your stay at Old Town Quito Suites and get ready to immerse yourself in the charm of Quito as you explore its most captivating story legends of Quito. We are eager to welcome you and make your stay a magical memory!
