“Have you ever felt the weight of history?” Step inside Casa del Alabado. This isn’t just any building. It’s a 17th-century colonial home. A silent witness to centuries of Quito’s vibrant life. Casa del Alabado stands proudly near the Plaza de San Francisco. Imagine wealthy colonial families residing within these very walls. Their lives played out in the six internal courtyards. Each courtyard a testament to their power and wealth.
Casa del Alabado now serves as a museum of Pre-Columbian art. It’s a treasure trove of over 5000 pieces. These artifacts speak of ancient cultures. Cultures that thrived in Ecuador long before the Spanish arrived. The museum’s collection isn’t organized chronologically. Instead it explores themes. Themes like the infra-world the mid-world and the supra-world. These themes represent the ancient Ecuadorians’ cosmology. Their relationship with their ancestors. Their spiritual beliefs and their connection to the land.
The Infra-world section features stone carvings. These are somber pieces reflecting a world unseen. This section displays works from the Valdivia and Chaupicruz cultures. These cultures existed in coastal and highland regions respectively. The museum beautifully showcases the common threads linking these seemingly disparate groups. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of ancient Ecuadorian art and culture.
In the Mid-world section you’ll see stunning examples of craftsmanship. The artisans used stone-on-stone friction. They also utilized thread wear to create intricate designs. Techniques like pastillaje and engobe were common. These are plaster and post-kiln coloring techniques respectively. The materials used reveal artistry and ingenuity. The Mid-world reflects the fertility and artistic skill of the ancient people.
The Supra-world section explores the spiritual realm. Shamanistic figures dominate the display. The largest piece a shaman in trance. He holds a cylinder. This cylinder once held hallucinogenic substances. This section truly unveils the mystical side of ancient Ecuadorian spiritual life.
Casa del Alabado’s restoration is a marvel in itself. Architect Luis López masterfully blended conservation and modernization. The building’s original essence remains. Yet it now boasts a modern museum experience. A fig tree over 150 years old stands proudly. It gave the house its original name Casa del Higo. Today the museum is called Casa del Alabado. This name comes from a tombstone inscription: “Praised be the Sainted Sacrament this gateway door was finished in 1671.”
Casa del Alabado is more than a museum. It’s a journey. A journey through time. A journey through culture. A journey through the heart of ancient and colonial Ecuador. Take your time. Soak it all in. Allow the stories within these walls to transport you.