Capilla Católica de San Juan Loma

“Did the Incas truly worship the moon from this very hill?” I ask, gesturing towards the Capilla Católica de San Juan Loma. It’s a question that hangs in the air, as palpable as the crisp Quito breeze. The Capilla Católica de San Juan Loma sits atop a hill known to the indigenous people as Hunacauri. Long before the Spanish arrived, and even before the familiar chapel graced this slope, the Incas held this place sacred. They believed it to be a powerful spot, a place where they could connect with the celestial deity, the moon. Imagine their ceremonies, their chants echoing across the valley under the watchful gaze of the moon. The Capilla Católica de San Juan Loma we see today arrived much later, a symbol of the changing times and the new faith that swept across the land. But the echoes of the past, the whispers of Inca rituals, still linger. The neighborhood of San Juan, where the Capilla Católica de San Juan Loma stands, is often referred to as the “Balcón quiteño,” or Quito’s balcony. It’s easy to see why. From here, the city stretches out before you, a tapestry of red-tiled roofs and vibrant facades clinging to the hillsides. This breathtaking view isn’t just a modern marvel. It’s a vista that has captivated residents for centuries, from the Incas who worshipped the moon to the families who later made this area their home. The very streets we walk on today, like Nicaragua, Matovelle, and Montevideo, were once ravines. They were gradually filled in as the area grew and developed. Think of the children who once played along these very slopes. They played games like “huevos del gato” (similar to marbles), spun tops, and chased each other in the shadow of the nascent neighborhood. San Juan is a place where time seems to dance between the past and the present. The old houses, with their single-story brick walls and tiled roofs, stand as silent witnesses to the families who built this community. The workshops, where carpenters, blacksmiths, seamstresses, and shoemakers ply their trades, continue a legacy of craftsmanship passed down through generations. And the aroma of traditional foods, like the famous “motes” and “quesadillas,” still fills the air, connecting us to the culinary traditions of the past. The Capilla Católica de San Juan Loma is more than just a chapel. It’s a thread that weaves together the rich tapestry of this unique neighborhood. It’s a place where the whispers of Inca moon worship mingle with the stories of hardworking families and the aroma of traditional delicacies. It’s a reminder that even as time marches on, the spirit of a place can endure, offering a glimpse into a past that continues to shape the present.