Exploring the culture: 3 free museums to visit in Quito
Quito, the beautiful capital of Ecuador is a city full of history, art and culture. Its museums offer a glimpse into our rich heritage, from ceramics and obsidian to more contemporary exhibits. To explore this cultural treasure you can combine free museums with other cultural spaces that require an entrance fee. Here I present you 3 free museums located in different parts of the city that will also help you explore different neighborhoods that you cannot miss on your next visit to Quito:
Camilo Egas Museum (MCE)
If you are an art lover, the Camilo Egas Museum is a mandatory stop, it preserves, promotes and disseminates the valuable legacy of the painter Camilo Egas (Quito, 1889 – New York, 1962), precursor of Ecuadorian indigenism, social realism, and whose versatile search led him to explore the avant-garde trends of the first half of the 20th century. It is located in the Historic Center of Quito, in a colonial-style house, on the corner of Venezuela and Esmeraldas streets.
You can visit this museum from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contemporary Art Center (CAC)
The CAC is a vibrant place that celebrates contemporary creativity in all its forms. With a variety of temporal exhibitions including visual, performance and multimedia art, this museum is a vital center for Quito’s art scene. In addition, its location in the San Juan neighborhood on Montevideo and Luis Dávila streets near the Basílica del Voto Nacional offers a panoramic view of the northern center of the city, the building itself is a piece of art that was previously used as hospital so don’t be scared if you find ghosts in your photos.
You can visit this museum from Wednesday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
National Museum (MuNa)
The National Museum is an emblematic cultural institution that houses an impressive collection of archaeological, historical and artistic artifacts that narrate the history and cultural diversity of Ecuador. Located in the “Arbolito” park inside the building of the House of Ecuadorian Culture on “Patria” between 6 de Diciembre and 12 de Octubre streets in La Mariscal district, it presents permanent exhibitions with pre-Columbian artifacts, such as ceramics, textiles and tools, to colonial and republican objects that show the evolution of Ecuadorian society over time. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the National Museum regularly presents temporary exhibitions that explore various aspects of our culture.
You can visit this museum from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
So now you know! If you are in Quito, don’t miss the opportunity to explore these fascinating museums that offer a unique window into the rich culture of Ecuador.
