Right ahead, you’ll spot a simple two-story colonial house with a plain façade, small balconies on the upper floor, and a tiled roof-just look for the quiet elegance tucked between the plazas.
Standing here, you’re about to step into the secrets of the Pre-Columbian Art Museum Praise House, or Casa del Alabado-one of Quito’s oldest homes, dating back to the 17th century. Imagine the faint echo of footsteps on stone as this peaceful house kept its mysteries for centuries. Over the entrance, if you strain your eyes, you’ll see the words that inspired its name: “ALABADO SEA EL SANTISIMO SACRAMENTO… 1671”-blessed be the holy sacrament. Now, don’t be fooled by the quiet outside; inside, the museum bursts with life, filled with art that honors Ecuador’s first peoples and their sacred bond with the forces of nature. Unlike most museums, Casa del Alabado prefers to show off the beauty and spirit of each object, turning every room into a world of ancient creativity and mysticism. Walk through its 14 galleries, peek into two sunlit courtyards, and-my personal favorite-don’t miss the heady smell of coffee from its café on a crisp Quito morning. Restored in 2006 and reborn as a museum in 2010, it’s now a bridge across time, connecting us to both ancient magic and new discoveries. So step closer-who knows what ancient spirits might be watching you admire their treasures?
