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Church · Riobamba, Chimborazo
Balbanera Church
Small stone church beside Laguna de Colta, founded in 1534 and considered the country’s first Catholic temple. On the façade, a colonial portal; at the altar, the Virgin of Balbanera.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Balbanera Church
The Church of Balbanera is in the canton of Colta, beside the Pan-American Highway and next to Laguna de Colta, about 20 km from Riobamba. It is cited as Ecuador’s first Catholic church: it was founded in 1534, the same year Diego de Almagro established the city of Santiago de Quito on these plains, the first Spanish foundation in the territory of present-day Ecuador.
According to local tradition, the site was chosen for being near the lagoon, sacred to the Puruhá people who lived in the region. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Nativity of Balbanera, a devotion brought from the La Rioja region of Spain. The Virgin’s festivals take place in August and September.
The building is small, about 360 m², with thick walls of limestone blocks and mud. The stone portal preserves the colonial style, with carved reliefs that seem arranged at random, and the interior is long and simple, with a stone altar and the image of the Virgin among flowers.
Next door there is a small exhibition room with pieces and relics of the church and a plaza where indigenous communities hold markets and celebrations. On clear mornings, Chimborazo appears in the background, behind the lagoon.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From half an hour to an hour; combine with the walk along Laguna de Colta next door.
Best time
In the morning, when Chimborazo often appears behind the church. Weekends and holidays are busier. The church is still used for Mass; confirm times before you go.
How to get there
It sits on the Pan-American Highway, south of Riobamba, about 20 km away, a half-hour drive. Buses from Riobamba toward Colta and the southern part of the province follow the road and stop near the church.
Tip
Notice the carved stone portal before entering and allow time for the walk along the lagoon. Respect ongoing celebrations.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Balbanera Church
What is Ecuador’s first church?
The Church of Balbanera, in Colta, Chimborazo province, is usually cited as the country’s first Catholic church. It was founded in 1534, when the Spanish established the city of Santiago de Quito in the region.
How far is the Church of Balbanera from Riobamba?
About 20 km to the south along the Pan-American Highway, roughly a half-hour drive. It sits beside Laguna de Colta.
When is the feast of the Virgin of Balbanera?
Homages to the Virgin of Balbanera take place in August and September, with Masses and celebrations by local communities.