Tourist attractions in Ecuador
Sanctuary of the Swan
Sanctuary of the Swan
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Av. Eugenio Espejo &, LojaNearby attractions
Places to visit within 30 km.
Villonaco Andean Wind Farm
Villonaco Wind Farm started operations in the year 2013. It is located from north to south, on a 22 km line, at the top of the Villonaco hill, at 2,720 meters above sea level, 14 km from the center of the city of Loja, Ecuador. It has 11 wind turbines, 100 meters high each. They are visible to the naked eye from Loja. Since its inauguration, the power plant has become a tourist attraction. Villonaco means the one that warns that there is yellow water. Name composed of the Quichuas Quillu-Yaku words. An Andean belief points out that places where there are strong winds, also have the ability to announce the arrival of rain. "The hill is thundering," it is often said. The mountains are reservoirs of water and minerals. Origin of slopes. The Villonaco is a source of water for Loja and Catamayo. It divides the two valleys. In its area there are activities of energy production, tourism, recreation, culture, biological research, reforestation and livestock. The pilgrimage to the Virgen del Cisne passes through its roads and paths. It is a resting place for pilgrims. It has the Peña Negra where the hawk nests. Ecuador's national tree, the cinchona or cascarilla, grows here. Birdwatching is another activity that can be done. Since the middle of the XIX century there are references of the Villonaco, as a crossroads. From Loja to the west, there was a road that went through the Villonaco and Guaguaurco mountain ranges to El Cisne, then Yuñuc and Santa Rosa. The Villonaco Wind Farm reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 35,000 tons and consumption of 4.5 million gallons of diesel per year in Ecuador. It covers 25% of the electrical demand of the province of Loja. Since its construction, it is the first project of its kind in the country and the first in the world. The Villonaco's winds have a speed of 12.6 meters per second. It generates 507.36 GW per hour to the National Interconnected System. Each generator is of the type Goldwind 70/1500 of 1.5 MW, with an annual average speed of 12.7 m/s. The 11 generators are 2 km away from each other. The months with the strongest and most intense winds are July and August, although they are present in the Villonaco all year round. Loja, capital of the Province of Loja, is its largest and most populated city. It is crossed by the rivers Zamora, Malacatos and Jipiro, in the south of the Ecuadorian Inter-Andean Region, in the basin of the Zamora River, at 2,060 meters above sea level. Equatorial climate, 18 °C average. Called the "Musical and Cultural Capital of Ecuador" for its architecture, cultural diversity, contribution to the arts, sciences, music and literature.
3.88 Km.
Music Museum
The music museum was inaugurated on September 7, 2004. Its rooms contain the very history of our city, always known as the “cradle of art, letters and music”. The life of the most distinguished musicians and singer-songwriters is told through their works, instruments and belongings To teach present and future generations to love their roots and perpetuate such a precious art that was once cultivated in Loja, such as music. The Pío Jaramillo Alvarado Cultural Corporation, an organization made up of several Loja institutions, linked to the cultural activities of Loja, such as: National University of Loja, Bernardo Valdivieso School, House of Culture Nucleus of Loja, Loja Symphony Orchestra, Salvador Music Conservatory Bustamente Celi and the "Edgar Palacios" and "Nature and Culture" foundations have been working together since 2000, with the aim of achieving various objectives that allow strengthening and disseminating all the artistic and cultural manifestations of our artists. Address Located in the first courtyard of the old Colegio Bernardo Valdivieso on the street of the same name.
3.91 Km.
Botanical Garden of Loja
Interest : Nature Type : Botanic Garden Friendly to: children, families, seniors Relevant categories : Natural National Heritage - Municipal protected area Hours : Monday to Friday 07:30 - 12:30, 15:00 - 18:00. Saturdays and Sundays 13:00 - 18:00 The oldest botanical garden in Ecuador is in Loja. It is part of the campus of the National University of Loja. In an area of 7 hectares grow 1,385 species of native and exotic plants. It was founded in 1949 by the scientist and botanist Reinaldo Espinosa. It is located at the convergence of warm humid air currents from the Amazon and warm dry air currents from the Pacific. This privileged position produces a unique floral diversity in the province of Loja, which also gives shelter to related fauna. The distribution of the vegetation does not obey any order. A biological laboratory like no other in Ecuador. All the plants that develop in the Garden give origin to a mountainous microclimate, a refuge for birds such as sparrows, blackbirds, lapos, bakers and hummingbirds. Amphibious insects and reptiles are part of the fauna of the place. The trees provide shade for orchids and bromeliads, which give color and are a complement to the landscape. Some names of endemic flora are the Pumamaqui, Casa casa, Cascarilla and Payamo. Introduced species are the Ash, Olive, Gingo, Chestnut, Oak and Redwood. Strict rules for entering the Botanical Garden must be followed to preserve it. Pay the fixed entry fee. Pets are prohibited. The walk is exclusive on trails. No plant material may be taken out. Proper disposal of waste. Smoking is prohibited. It is located 5 km from Loja via Vilcabamba, at 2140 meters above sea level. Annual rainfall 900 mm. Average temperature 15.3°C. Relative humidity 60%. Dry low mountain forest. Registered with the International Organization for the Conservation of Botanical Gardens (BGCI). Source: Fundación Municipal Turismo para Cuenca
3.93 Km.
Loja Central Park
Religious, civic and political demonstrations are held here around it are the government buildings such as: Municipality, Government of the Province, Provincial Council, Episcopal House, Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador Near the park there are banking and commercial institutions that are indicators of a progressive city. In the center of the park is one of the first monuments that was placed in our city, in honor of the benefactor of Loja education, Dr. Bernardo Valdivieso of the heroes. Address Located on the streets 10 de Agosto between Bernardo Valdivieso and Bolívar. Central Park Highlights Monument to Bernardo Valdivieso: Located in the central park of the city of Loja in honor of the great benefactor of Loja education, Bernardo Valdivieso, who was concerned about the education of children and youth, fought tenaciously in defense of the Parquereligiosos and moral principles. .
3.96 Km.
Museum at the Gate of the City of Loja
It is the Entrance Gate to the city, it represents part of the Coat of Arms of Loja, in which a medieval castle can be seen, through which the city center is accessed. Built in the years 1998–1999. It is said that it is a replica of the coat of arms of Loja. The entrance itself is made up of the Bolívar Bridge that passes over the Malacatos River, a castle and the sculptures of Don Quixote and his faithful companion, Sancho. The current entrance to the city of Loja is a creative reproduction of the original coat of arms and consecrates the hidalgo motto of its foundation: "FIDELIS LOXA LIBERIS". The beginning of a tourist route is the gateway to the city, a representation based on the Coat of Arms that it possesses, delivered by King Philip II of Spain in 1571, it symbolizes the Fortress City, from where the conquest expeditions to the Amazon departed. and to the El Dorado Region. The city gate is one of the most touristic places in the city, it is very beautiful and unique right there we can go see the paintings that are exhibited and even have a coffee for this cold Location It is located on Av. Gran Colombia.
4.33 Km.
Jipiro Recreational Park
The Jipiro Recreational Park Unit, which in the Avocado language means place of rest, is one of the main attractions of Loja. It is made up of more than 10 hectares and is also known as the Park of Cultural Universality. It is considered unique in the country due to its composition. One of its main characteristics are the nine ethno-cultural Trunks represented with replicas of the most outstanding architectural and cultural expressions of humanity. The 10 hectares that make up this park are surrounded by the Zamora and Jipiro rivers and have the “Monument to the Romerians”, made up of the Chaso from Loja with his wife, the chola from Cuenca and the Peruvian zambo with his fighting rooster. In the Jipiro Park you can see how human creativity takes advantage of the flora, fauna and architecture of various civilizations, to offer a welcoming nautical park with a lagoon, swans, ducks, a stage for events, boats, bars, restaurants, courts and spaces for camping. How to get? These Bus lines stop near Parque Recreacional Jipiro: L10, L2 and L7.
5.99 Km.