Quito, Ecuador: Palacio Arzobispal

This used to be where the Bishop in Quito lived, and you'd have to say he made out OK in the deal. This is a beautiful building that makes a great impression when you walk into the main hall. Construction started in 1545, when Pope Paul III established a diocese in Quito. The Bishop moved in around 1700.

The Bishop doesn't live here any more, and the religious overtones are gone. The facility has transformed into a food court and a retail outlet. It's a little less charming that way, but it's still a nice place to relax during a walking tour of the highlights of the city. Dancers and singers sometimes turn up to add to the atmosphere.