In the historic heart of Quito, where colonial streets open onto stone plazas and church towers rise against the Andes, the Church of the Society of Jesus stands as one of Ecuador's great works of religious architecture. Known locally as Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, it is famous for an interior in which carved wood, sculpture, painting and gilding form an almost continuous Baroque composition. For travelers interested in architecture, sacred art and South American history, La Compañía is one of the essential stops in Quito's UNESCO-listed historic center.
The present church was designed and built by Jesuits between 1605 and 1765, a construction period of about 160 years. That long development helps explain the richness of artistic influences visible throughout the building. The Society of Jesus established an important religious and educational presence in colonial Quito, and the church became the ceremonial centerpiece of its complex.