What if I told you that La Magdalena was once a separate town? It existed for nearly four centuries. Now, it is a vibrant part of Quito. Let’s explore its history and charm.
La Magdalena is one of Quito’s 32 urban parishes. It sits in the city’s south. The parish is named in honor of the Catholic Saint Mary Magdalene. It borders the historic center. It also borders La Libertad, San Bartolo, Chimbacalle and Chilibulo.
Before the Spanish conquest, the area was home to the Machangarilla community. They lived on the slopes of mountains like Ungüí and Chilindalo. They also lived near the Machángara River. In 1575, the Spanish founded the ecclesiastical parish of Santa María de La Magdalena. This became its common name. It is under the Archdiocese of Quito.
For centuries, La Magdalena was linked to Quito by two main trails. The Camino Viejo ran between El Panecillo and Pichincha. Today, Mariscal Sucre Avenue follows this route. The Carrera Ambato went along the eastern side of Panecillo.
In 1890, Francisco Andrade Marín and other locals funded a road. It connected Quito and La Magdalena’s main plaza. Andrade Marín donated land. He created a small plaza where the road began. This spot is still at Ambato and Guayaquil streets.
As Quito grew in the early 20th century, it expanded. It stretched from the historic center to La Mariscal and La Magdalena. La Magdalena became a civil parish. Many liberals moved here. Some aristocratic families also chose La Magdalena. They didn’t want to live in La Mariscal.
A new parish church was built in the early 20th century. Father Pedro Brüning designed it.
La Magdalena celebrates important religious festivals. These include the festival of Santa María Magdalena on July 22. They also celebrate the Señor de los Milagros on Holy Monday. A popular symbol of La Magdalena is Los Motes de la Magdalena. This traditional food business started in the 1980s. It began near the central park and has since spread across Quito.
La Magdalena has a multimodal station. It is part of Quito’s integrated transport system. The Metro, South Occidental Corridor and Trolebús meet here.
In 2020, improvements were made to streets in La Magdalena. The goal was to enhance road safety. The project focused on pedestrian safety. Sidewalks were widened. New pedestrian crosswalks were added. Vehicle speeds were reduced by narrowing lanes.
A local artist designed colorful patterns for the streets. The designs reflected the neighborhood’s history and culture. The community was involved in the design process.
La Magdalena has transformed over the years. It has grown from an indigenous community. It became a Spanish parish and a rural town. Now it is a bustling part of Quito. It blends history, culture and community.