Iglesia de El Sagrario (Church of the Sanctuary), Quito

The Church of the Sanctuary (Iglesia de El Sagrario) in Quito is a magnificent Renaissance Catholic church, which is an integral part of the Metropolitan Cathedral complex. Although it is physically connected to the cathedral, the Church of the Sanctuary stands out as an independent church due to its size and importance in the city's art. This type of sacramental chapel was originally designed as a temple annexed to a larger one and was brought to the New World by the Spanish, who built cathedrals with similar chapels.

The Church of the Sanctuary was built on an arcade that closed the old Zanguña ravine, adjacent to the Cathedral. It was designed by the architect José Jaime Ortiz, who arrived in Quito from Alicante, Spain in 1694. The church was built according to the Italian Renaissance style that was popular at the time. The façade of the church was completed by Gabriel de Escorza in 1706, while the rest of the construction was finished in 1715.

The interior of the church is particularly impressive, with beautiful altarpieces and intricate wood carvings. The main gate is considered one of the most impressive manifestations of Quitoan Baroque. It was created by Bernardo de Legarda, a famous woodcarver, and features plant forms that culminate in capricious capitals and cornices. The central vault of the church is decorated with frescoes that depict scenes from the Bible, and was commissioned by master Legarda in 1742.