Discover Quevedo: Culture, Archaeology and Festival Traditions

Quevedo combines a striking landmark on the Malecón with archaeological collections and a cultural centre where history, art and religious devotion come together. Traditional festival culture is also part of the city’s character. Before your trip, you can consider whether you would most like to get to know Quevedo through its museums, the regional themes they depict or an event.

A city landmark on the Malecón

A municipal report from 2016 described large, brightly coloured letters spelling “Quevedo” on the Malecón, opposite the Palacio de Cristal, as a visitor attraction. The sign puts the city’s name on display as a motif—a different way to experience the city from the archaeological objects and historical themes found in its museums.

Archaeology, art and memorabilia

The Centro Cultural Marco Cortés houses an archaeological museum with artefacts from various pre-Columbian cultures. The Milagro-Quevedo culture, also known as Las Tolas, is particularly well represented. A mural by artist David Moscoso depicts traditional scenes featuring the Río Quevedo, balsa and cocoa production, and the area’s natural landscape. Archaeological artefacts thus sit alongside artistic depictions of regional themes.

The cultural centre’s other rooms offer a broader perspective too: a documentation room displays photographs and original archives relating to the establishment of important institutions. The Centro Cultural Marco Cortés also includes a chapel dedicated to Cristo Redentor. Together, the collection, mural, archives and chapel offer different points of interest for anyone interested in culture and history.

According to a municipal announcement dated 11 March 2020, more than 670 archaeological artefacts registered with the Ministerio de Patrimonio Cultural were exhibited at the Museo Municipal de Quevedo. The artefacts came from cultures including La Tolita, Jama Coaque, Manteña, Bahía, Daule Tejar, Huancavilca, Pansaleo and Chorrera.

A museum in the Ciudadela Municipal de Quevedo displays more than 300 archaeological artefacts, most of them from the Milagro-Quevedo culture. School students and teachers from local educational institutions and from across Ecuador visit the museum. The museums in Quevedo therefore offer different focuses for your trip: you can see collections featuring artefacts from various cultures as well as a focus on Milagro-Quevedo.

Traditional festival culture and trip planning

The Ronda de Confraternidad Quevedeña is a cultural event featuring folk groups, regionally inspired dance and music, floats and other traditional performances. A resolution from 2015 provided for it to be held annually; check the current event dates when planning your trip. An earlier announcement for one edition also listed modern dance groups, comparsas, floats and delegations from other countries.

Your choice of holiday rental in Quevedo can depend on the purpose of your trip: would you like to focus on archaeological collections and the Centro Cultural Marco Cortés, or plan your trip around the Ronda? If you are travelling with children, you can discuss together whether the collections, the mural or traditional festival culture are of particular interest. This way, you can choose the focus of your trip based on the things you would like to discover in Quevedo.

Discover more destinations: Santa Rita, Montalvo, Vinces.

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