The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, commonly known as el San Francisco is a historic Roman Catholic basilica located in the heart of the city Quito, Ecuador. Strategically built on the same spot where the Inca royal palace of Huayna Cápac once existed, the building stands tall with its Mannerist-Baroque facade and is considered one of South America's most significant architectural complexes. It houses some of the most spectacular colonial art pieces, sculptures, paintings, and even boasts its own library containing thousands of manuscripts from the 17th century. El San Francisco is much more than an area of worship— visitors can explore its plazas and courtyards, play in its gardens, and even attend performances hosted at the theater or Radio studio! One look and you'll know why it's embarking travelers for centuries!