Ecuador’s historic seat of government has been quietly looted in recent decades, and no one knows how or by whom.

A short volcanic hill in Quito doubles as a stellar observation point of an iconic statue.

This huge green space packed with activities will make you forget you're in the middle of the Ecuadorian capital.

This overlooked, beautiful convent hides an original Hieronymus Bosch among its many treasures.

This 12-inch-tall wooden sculpture of a winged Virgin Mary has inspired much devotion and countless replicas.

An elaborate shrine dedicated to the four corners of the world unfortunately misses its mark.

Preserved Inca city and site of the last Inca stronghold against the Spanish conquistadors.

These steeply terraced ruins are a stop along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

It took 82 years and four different plaques to finally get the story right.

The intricate stonework of Machu Picchu serves as a testament to Incan engineers.

The world's tallest aluminum statue is also the world's tallest image of a winged Virgin Mary.

Legend says if this neo-Gothic basilica is ever officially completed, the world will come to an end.

Quito's historic, main square dates back to the 16th century.

The gondolas let you glimpse a bird's-eye view of one of the world's highest capital cities.

It took 160 years to complete the most ornate church in Ecuador.

Situated on a sacred Inca site, this 16th-century cathedral took nearly 100 years to build.

This geometric feat is a testament to the Incas' mesmerizing architectural abilities.

A painting in the historic Cathedral Basilica depicts Jesus and his disciples dining on a traditional Peruvian menu.

The stones of this Incan wall complex fit together so well you couldn't fit a piece of paper between some of them.

An exhibition devoted to the life (and posthumous taxidermy form) of the last known representative of the Pinta Island Tortoises.

A monument to the conquistador became increasingly controversial in the very city that he founded.

The large collection of pre-Columbian pottery might make you blush.

Now containing the bones of the actual conquistador, instead of someone else.

A pretty park of over 1,600 olive trees that grew from just three saplings brought over from Spain.