About
The Basílica del Voto Nacional stands in the historic centre of Quito, Ecuador, on García Moreno at its junction with Rocafuerte. It is also known as the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Its neo-Gothic facade and towers make it one of the most distinctive buildings in the Ecuadorian capital, and it is the largest religious building in the country.
The building
Work on the basilica began in 1892. Its tall spires and pointed arches follow the neo-Gothic style, and the interior is a broad space suited to a slow look around. Visitors who climb the towers are rewarded with panoramic views over Quito, with the city's rooftops and surrounding hills spread out below.
Is it finished?
The building is often described as technically unfinished, and local legend says it will never be completed. Whether or not you take the story literally, it adds an interesting layer to a visit: you are looking at a structure that has been in progress for well over a century.
Planning a visit
- Location: García Moreno N1-47 y Rocafuerte, Quito 170401, Ecuador
- Contact: +593 2-228-9428
- Best combined with: a walk through Quito's historic centre, where other churches, plazas and colonial streets are within easy reach
Allow time to walk up the towers for the views, and check ahead by phone before you travel, as details of access may change.