The Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús is a Baroque church with a highly intricate design in Quito, Ecuador. La Compañía’s design incorporates architectural elements of Spanish, Moorish, Flemish, and Italian Baroque. The church has a remarkable façade adorned with elaborate carvings, including statues and reliefs depicting religious scenes and figures.
The construction of Iglesia de la Compañía, the most ornate church in Ecuador, began in 1605 and finished in 1765, taking over 160 years to complete.
Meanwhile, the interior is largely covered in gold leaf and gilded plaster, creating a dazzling effect. The walls, ceilings, and altars are richly decorated with elaborate wooden carvings and biblical figures. Other notable design features include Sun symbols on the main door and the ceiling. These symbols, associated with the Inca civilization and the Sun God Inti, were probably included to encourage the indigenous population to enter the church. The design elements also include Ecuadorian plants and indigenous faces incorporated into the wall and pillar decorations.
