Loja’s most iconic monument: a castle over the Malacatos river that serves as a museum, art gallery and viewpoint.
Built in 1998 on the Simón Bolívar bridge over the Malacatos river, on Gran Colombia avenue, the City Gate reproduces the castle on Loja’s coat of arms, granted to the city by King Philip II in 1571.
Inside there are art rooms (one with old coins), a café and a handicraft shop; at the top, a viewpoint over the centre. It is the symbolic entrance to the historic centre.
A line painted on the pavement starts here and guides a self-guided walk through the centre.
Nearby
Centro histórico
San Sebastián square, where Loja gathered on 18 November 1820: colonial houses and a 32-metre clock tower.
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Centro histórico
The city’s most picturesque street, with colourful houses and old street lamps: handicrafts and local coffee.
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Loja Cathedral on the Central Park, heart of the historic centre; the Virgin of El Cisne stays here from August to November.
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