Iglesia de Balbanera
Iglesia de Balbanera
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
157 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
51
Average
20
Poor
1
Terrible
1
pfefmeister
San Francisco, CA4,579 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I never would have known to stop if not for our driver. This small church is simple, with the exterior brick the most impressive characteristic. Amazing that it’s still standing since the 1500’s, you drive right by on E35 - definitely worth a stop. A small museum is worth going through quickly and gets you closer to the altar.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jolyon67
Melbourne, Australia5,666 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
On the main road 17km outside Riobamba you will pass this little church. It is the oldest catholic church in Ecuador founded on August 15, 1534 built by the Spaniards in colonial style. The church is dedicated to the most holy Virgin Mary Nativity Balbanera. The virgin Mary is protected in a glass case just above the altar. Just inside the entrance is a painting of an earthquake that hit this area in the 1790's. On the horizon behind it is the wonderful snowy peak of Chimborazo volcano.
Written May 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vjv2007
Tampa, FL675 contributions
Mar 2020
Our travel guide insisted that we leave our B&B in Riobamba at 5:30 AM to see this beautiful church. He was right!
Written June 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John4One
Weybridge, UK416 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Balbanera Iglesia (founded 1536), built by the Spanish is Ecuador's oldest surviving church. The church is floodlit, but locked at night and early morning, so unfortunately we didn't get to peep inside (see photos).
Written June 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventure beyond imagination
Munich, Germany20,723 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
The oldest church in Ecuador impresses the visitors with stunning architecture design and stone carvings. Very simple but extremely elegant!
Written January 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York5,465 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
This church is entered through a small museum. Then you go inside the church to see its beautiful 16th century original altar. It is the oldest church in Ecuador and well worth seeing.
Written July 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel Suarez
Quito, Ecuador26 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
This little church is one of the most authentic representations of the colonial constructions in the country. Also, this is the first Catholic church in Ecuador. If you are in the route, I recommend a stopover in this place to know about this part of the Ecuadorian history.
Written July 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chachi
Orlando, FL104 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Our driver took us here on our way to our destination. Beautiful church and so much history. They have a little museum next to it. The guide was great offering information about the church.
Written June 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CatharineB
Ottawa, Canada1,644 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We stopped to say hello at the oldest Ecuadorian church, The Balbaneda or Balbanera Church, built in 1534 in honor to the Virgen María Natividad de Balbanera.
Unfortunately, the church was closed as it was only 6:00am!
Unfortunately, the church was closed as it was only 6:00am!
Written April 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thecatsmum4
Kettering, UK2,727 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
Dating back to 1535, this is a very small, simple building. Free to enter but donation requested. The altar area is screened off by railings, but if you go to the left side you can enter a small museum where a knowledgeable young lady explained in Spanish (our guide translated) she then allowed us to enter the altar area via a side door and to take photos.
The Museum is basically a lot of old icons and clothing donated by locals plus a large chair for carrying the priest around.
Worth a visit if passing through Colta, it's on the main highway.
The Museum is basically a lot of old icons and clothing donated by locals plus a large chair for carrying the priest around.
Worth a visit if passing through Colta, it's on the main highway.
Written February 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cuál es el horario de visitas? Iremos con un grupo de turistas extranjeros y nos gustaría visitar la iglesia, no solamente verla desde el exterior.
Written January 29, 2018
What time does the church open in the mornings? I'm hoping to go rather early (like 7 or 8 am).
Written July 29, 2017
Hola ,donde puedo tomar transporte público para llegar a este lugar desde Quito ,la idea es después seguir a Guayaquil ,
mejor aún si me pueden dar valores y tiempos de traslados .Muchas pero muchas gracias por la respuesta .
Written April 30, 2015
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