Maximo de los Padres Mercedarios de El Tejar

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A place of intimate encounter with the Lord

The Mercedario del Tejar Convent, is a construction created and founded by Father Francisco de Jesús Bolaños in approximately 1733. It worked first as a hermitage, which were small chapels located in unpopulated places far from the noise of the city. Here, Father Bolaños hired the most prominent artists of the time, who produced magnificent works of art for their decoration. Miguel de Santiago, Caspicara, Goribar, Samaniego, among others, are present inside the “Francisco de Jesús Bolaños” Museum of Religious Art. Works by Joaquín Pinto, decorate the walls of his small, but important church, where some illustrious characters such as the Aguirre Klinger, Jijón and Caamaño family, former presidents of the Royal Audience of Quito and dozens of fighting soldiers of the Battle of Pichincha rest , who after having triumphed, climbed to the towers of the Church of Tejar, and flew the yellow, blue and red flag, symbolizing the end of slavery. But El Tejar is not only art and battles, they are also legends; The Student Cloak, La Viuda del Tejar, El Cristo de la Agonía and more, go out in Quito nights to tell you their stories, because the group LEYENDAS NOCTURNAS 2 years ago bet on this space to bring it to life, since it is very important to know its cultural value. Night Legends was created in November 2016 in conjunction with the first opening of the Tejar Convent, with the objective of rescuing and disseminating oral heritage such as traditional legends. Every Saturday night, La Viuda del Tejar, Juan de la Capa del Student, Cantuña and the Devil, Father Almeida, La Chilena or Mrs. María Augusta Urrutia wake up every night and accompany us to tell us their true stories, because when in Quito Night falls, legends come alive. From the hand of our characters, you will relive the charm and magic of each place. We don't tell stories, we live them with you. Night Legends, a journey through time.

One of the churches with more tradition and antiquity of the city. there is a cemetery and the Catholic religious rites are still officiated.

Good tour and excellent historical works of art. I loved it even though I wish the tour lasted longer.