Beneath the gaze of Sebastián de Benalcazar’s statue, a story unfolds. The Benalcazar Statue dominates the plaza, a bronze figure astride a horse. This isn’t just any statue. It’s a window into the turbulent times of conquest and the founding of Quito. Sebastián de Benalcazar, born Sebastián Moyano y Cabrera around 1490, wasn’t just a conquistador. He was a city builder. In 1534, he claimed Quito for Spain, defeating Inca general Rumiñahui. Benalcazar, along with Diego de Almagro and Baltasar Maldonado, established the city we know today, naming it “San Francisco de Quito” to honor Francisco Pizarro. The Benalcazar Statue commemorates this pivotal moment. Benalcazar’s ambition didn’t stop at Quito. He pushed north into present-day Colombia, founding Cali, Pasto, and Popayán. His drive for power led to land disputes and even the execution of a rival governor, Jorge Robledo. Convicted in absentia and sentenced to death, Benalcazar died of natural causes in Cartagena in 1551 before his sentence could be carried out. The Benalcazar Statue stands as a reminder of a complex historical figure, a man who shaped the destiny of this region.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to