I visited a magnificent church that took over 100 years to build. It was completed in the middle of the 20th century, although, more building is being done on it still. It is gorgeous and is modeled on Paris's Notre-Dame. It's a short walk from where I am staying in Quito.

It's the La Basilica and it's the largest Gothic Basilica in Latin America!  

The towers and roof are decorated not with angels or other diety figures, and not with gargoyles, like so many buildings have . But it has turtles and iguanas protruding from it's sides!

It's awesome from the outside. How could you not want to tour the inside? I climb the hilly streets amidst the hectic traffic of Quito to find the Basilica. The journey getting there is as interesting as what I see once I am there! I love walking just because of this very thing. Walking you smell and see the environment around you. And, you can take photos of the things that interest you.

It has a spire that you can climb. The spire is 376 feet tall. From here you can see both the Old Town (where I am staying), and the New Town.
 
You start the climb to the top up some stone stairs. Then, you see a wooden plank walkway leading over an open area. Soon you reach an iron ladder that is steep and seems somewhat unstable. It's not for everyone to continue the climb to the top form this point. It depends on if you see it as an adventure to experience or too dangerous to risk . This risks I take as I travel are those I feel have some danger to them but at the same time, with caution and common-sense, you can do them safely.

There are more ladders, 295 feet of them, most are nearly straight up and a little unnerving as you climb the steps that are right on the edge of the building. It would not be something a person that has a fear of heights would want to do. But, it was an exciting climb up, and you see the city from increasing heights as you climb the narrow steps. 

The views from the top make the climb worthwhile. Going down these almost vertical stairs is more challenging than climbing up. Nothing like this would be allowed in countries like the U.S. because of the danger and liability issues, but here, and in other parts of the world, you can do it, at your own risk!

I put comments on some of the photos to help clarify what they are!

NEXT: I Give Mt Final Thoughts on Ecuador and the Amazing Galapagos Islands!