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Panecillo

Panecillo, also known as El Panecillo, is a hill located on the southern edge of Quito, Ecuador. It is one of the city’s most recognizable geographic features and serves as a prominent overlook above the central districts, offering panoramic views of Quito and the surrounding valleys.

At the summit stands a large statue of the Virgin Mary, commonly referred to as La Virgen

Access to the summit is via a road that leads to viewing platforms and a small visitor

The name Panecillo derives from Spanish for “little bread,” reflecting the hill’s loaf-like shape. As a landmark,

de
Quito
or
Virgen
de
la
Apocalipsis.
The
monument
is
visible
from
many
parts
of
the
city
and
has
become
a
symbol
of
Quito.
The
sculpture,
mounted
on
a
tall
pedestal,
was
installed
in
the
mid-
to
late-20th
century
by
local
authorities
with
the
help
of
a
Spanish
sculptor,
and
it
remains
a
focal
point
for
visitors
to
the
hill.
area.
The
site
is
a
popular
destination
for
both
tourists
and
residents,
particularly
at
sunset,
when
views
of
the
historic
center
and
modern
skyline
unfold
against
the
Andean
backdrop.
Panecillo
has
long
been
associated
with
Quito’s
urban
identity
and
continues
to
be
a
notable
feature
in
discussions
of
the
city’s
geography
and
tourism.