Before we plunge into the historical specifics of Loja, the town in Ecuador and analyze more about the Things to do in Loja, we must at first understand the historical and cultural importance of Loja and its entire trajectory as the historical capital of Ecuador. Loja is the capital of Ecuador's Loja Province. It is located in the Cuxibamba valley in the south of the country, sharing borders with the provinces of Zamora-Chinchipe and El Oro and Peru in the south. Loja holds a rich tradition in the arts and for this reason is known as the Music Capital of Ecuador. The city is home to two major universities. The city has a population of about 118,500, and is situated 2100 m (6890 ft) above sea level. It has a mild Andean climate, ranging between 16 and 30°C.The Pan-American Highway runs past Loja. Indulge in a host of Things to do in Loja and enjoy the best of Loja.
The city of Loja was founded by Field Marshall Alonso de Mercadillo in 1548, and it is named for his hometown of Loxa in Spain. Originally located near La Toma in the Catamayo canton, the city was relocated to its present location (about 35km east) after a devastating earthquake. At nearly 500 years, it is one of the oldest cities in Ecuador. The city was also visited by Simón Bolívar in his campaign to unite Gran Colombia. Loja was a departure point for the Amazon Basin and the El Dorado region for Spanish Conquistadors. It declared its independence of Spain on November 18, 1820.
Arts and culture
There is a thriving musical scene in Loja, in keeping with the city's reputation. There are numerous small music and salsa clubs, and it is not uncommon to hear Lojanos singing as they go about their day. On Sundays, the local police band performs in the Plaza de Independencia outside of San Sebastian Church. The city is full of public artworks, including massive painted tile murals, frescoes and statuary. Of particular note are the frescoes of Bolívar and Sucre that greet visitors as they pass through the gates of the city.
Annual cultural events
May 30 - August 15 - Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Cisne
June 25 - Foundation of Loja Province
September 1-15 - Ecuador-Peru Border Integration Fair
November 1 - Return of the Virgin of Cisne to the town of Cisne
November 18 - Independence of Loja
December 8 - Foundation of Loja
Museums
Museum of Archaeology
Opened in 2004, the Museum of Archaeology houses some 1,600 artifacts, many of which are from the Pre-Colombian period. There are three floors to the museum, organized by the age of the artifacts. The first floor houses Paleolithic and Neolithic artifacts and remnants of the Valdivia Culture. The second floor contains artifacts of the Tolita, Jamas Coaque, Bahía, and Guajala cultures. The third floor showcases articles from the Charchi, Imbabura, Panzaleo, Puruhuá, Casholoma, Tacalshapa, Manteña, Tardia, Milagro, Quevedo, Huancavilca and Inca.
Musical Museum of the Pio Jaramillo Alvarado Cultural Center
Situated on Avenue Valdivieso and opened in 2004 the museum houses exhibits on the composers and musical history of Loja, from the Renaissance to the avante-garde. The collection spans nearly 200 years of history, with more than 7,000 musical scores and 65 instruments on display.
There are parks and places of recreation too, in the heart of the city at Loja central square, which are central to Activities in Loja and major Things to do in Loja. There are 3 parks in Loja that are very integral and important to any Sightseeing Itinerary. These include Jipiro which is of 10 hectares, the largest in Loja, Ecuador. The La Banda Park and Pucara are also important landmarks of botanical interest in Loja. Around 5kms outside of Loja city is the last and final destination worth any botanical interest.
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