City Museum (Quito)

The City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad) is a museum in the colonial center of Quito, Ecuador. It is located on Garcia Moreno Street, between Morales and Rocafuerte.[1]

City Museum formerly San Juan de Dios Hospital

The museum was founded in 1998 and occupies the buildings of what once the San Juan de Dios Hospital.[2] The buildings were designated as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site.[3] and were restored in 1995 using the same materials as the original buildings to repair damaged areas. Ancient stone Doric columns, stone doorways and stone coverings in the patios are a highlight of the architecture.[1]

The museum chronicles the history of Quito, along with 400 years of the history of the hospital.[2] The former hospital buildings include an area of 10,200 square meters which house the four museum collections, 10 exhibition halls, workshop areas and museum offices, arranged around four courtyards.[1] In addition to its permanent collections, the museum also offers the temporary exhibitions, focusing on particular aspects of life in Quito.[4]

One of the permanent exhibitions offers a journey through the customs, people and traditions of Quito, through its displayed history from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century.[1] Another is the display of the history of the hospital and a collection of items from a former doctor at the hospital.[2] There is another permanent exhibit which is called "A new social order breaks through: Quito nineteenth century".[4]

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 09:30 until 17:30.[5] Admission is free for people with disabilities, certain institutions and municipal employees. Admission for the general public requires minimal fees.[1]