..Hacienda La Cienega ..

Among those colonial estates belonging to the private sector,"La Cienega" is without a doubt, the oldest. For the last three centuries it has belonged to the same family, it has had no changes and it's history has been kept together with it's original documents. The Hosteria La Cienega is situated about 74 km south of Quito near the Cotopaxi volcano and its National Park. The Hosteria is one of Ecuador's oldest colonial haciendas. This mansion has been the scene of important events in the scientific and social history of the country. Among the important celebrities that have resided at La Cienega are Charles Marie de la Condamine, a French scientist who participated in the Geodesic Mission (1736-44) that determined the true shape of the earth and laid the path towards the development of a universal system of measure - the meter; and Alexander Von Humboldt, German naturalist who studied Cotopaxi's volcanic activity (1802) as well as its unique alpine flora. Since 1982 it has been converted into a hotel and has opened its doors to the public. The Hosteria La Cienega offers the visitor the unique experience of staying within its two-meter thick volcanic stone walls which stand as silent witnesses to the history of the people and the poetry of an era; surrounded by the breath-taking natural beauty of the landscape and rich folklore of Ecuador's indigenous people. La Cienega is an unforgettable souvenir of your visit to the Andes. It is located in the province of Cotopaxi, surrounded by the most striking mountains, among them, the highest active vocano in the world which gives the name to the province. This house was constructed completely out of stone. Since this is abundant due to the activity of the volcano. It was built in the midst or the X1VV Century. It belonged in 1695 to Maestre de Campo Don Mateo de la Escalera y Velasco, whose daughter Maria Rosa married Don Gregorio Matheu y Villamayer, Marquois of Maenza and since then until the Independence, "La Cienega" was the property for this title.

... Front Entrance Of The Hacienda... Lunch Time!... So Beautiful!

The third marquois was born in Latacunga in 1707 at the age of twenty he was commisioner of Archidona and Coronel of the Latacunga and the Ambato Army. The story tells us that he fell in love in Lima with a young 13 year old lady named Mariana Aranda del Ponte... He kidnapped her and brought her to the province of Quito escorted by one hundred slaves; once he married her, he Loved her so much he spent two hundred pesos per week in flowers, and held lavish parties in the Hacienda " La Cienega" where they lived..." (Taken from La Gaceta", July 2 ,of 1891) The Marquois of La Cienega" by Eduardo Paradez Ortega). This same author adds that "La Cienega is Truly a Paradise on Earth, with cobblestoned patios, artistic fountains, beautiful gardens, great windows, and single shaped lamp lights.. in the interior the rooms where adorned with famous paintings, tapestries, and fine furniture.."

...Pretty Child in The Gardens ...

From La Cienega the Marquios de Maenza witnessed the last great eruption of the volcono in 1740 and reported it to Paris to his friend M. da la Condamina in 1757. He als witnessed the terrible volcanic activity during the century; the bursting of Tungurahua, the eruption of the Quilotoa as mentioned above, especially, those of Cotopaxi which renewed it's activity after nearly 200 years. On June 15 1742 it erupted seven times until April 4, 1768.

La Cienega was an active scenery of the fights for Independence. It's owners, in spite of their close relationship with Spain,took part in the indepdence cause. The Marquios of Maenza and patriot of the Independence of Quito, Manuel Matheu y Herrera was a member of the "Escuela de la Concordia" who attended August 9th. of 1809 the meeting for Independence and was one of the founders of the "Quitena Libre". His Nephew Francisco Xavier and Jose Xavier de Ascasubi were also patriots for the Independence. The first one died at the Cuartel Real de Lima on August 2nd, 1810 and Don Juan de Salinas daughter of Maria del Carmen married Don Manuel de Ascasubi y Matheu who later would be the Vice President of the Republic.

Chapel On The Hacienda..

During the Republican life of Ecuador, La Cienega was also the witness of important events. The treaty of La Cienega was signed there by the first President of the Republic, General Juan Jose

Flores which ended the war with General Urdenata. Another ex-President Don Gabriel Garcia Moreno was an assidious visitor to La Cienega, especially during his trips to Guayaquil and to the southern parts of the country. General Don Leonidas Plaza Gutlerres, Constitutional President of the Republic lived in La Cienega as well as President Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra, who prepared his political campaigns and speeches to the nation sitting in the Austere halls of the hacienda.

Horse Trails On The Hacienda..

It would be to long to enuemerate all the facts and events which make La Cienega a highly interesting place of history, not only for tourists (national and foreign) but for future generations to read and live it's history within it's thick walls.

View From The Stables..Gorgeous!

The Horse stables are simply gorgeous...I must say So were the Horses!! However, I have simply had the worst luck! Horses, Camels, Elephants, You Name it!Ha! Well I thought once again I would try my luck out once more..

Step One !Mounted the Horse!

However the Sweet Horse Had a completely different Idea!

He tries to Run me Into The Wall Not a good idea!! least to me!

Well When This did not work the Damm Horse turned around and Tried to Buck me Off...

No He is not Bowing! He Is Just Trying to KILL me!

Now thinking it was just me! David tries to ride Another one! Well He Was also able to mount the horse But this guy His own Idea as well!

The Horse Decided He Was Hungry And Went Right Back Into The Stall! HAAAAAA!

ECUADOR CONT!..

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