In 1534 El Monasterio de San Francisco was built in honor of Quito's patron saint and it's still in use today by millions of worshippers. Flemish missionary, Fray Jodocko Ricke, directed construction of this ornate church and monastery on the site of an ancient Inca palace, making this the continent's oldest and largest church. The main altar is spectacularly carved in Spanish baroque and the side aisles are hung with fine oil paintings. The church ceiling is decorated with glowing images of the sun, the Inca divinity. Most Catholic Churches here in Ecuador are sumptuously ornate and grandiose with gold leaf everywhere you gaze. It's easy to see how the local indigenous peoples could be easily mesmerized and fall sway to the glitter of Catholicism. Currently, 95% of Ecuadorians are Catholic and Quito lays claim to over eighty churches.
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