Museum
Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
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Casa del Alabado is a Pre-Columbian art museum in Quito, housed in a 17th-century colonial building. Its permanent collection includes 500 archaeological pieces on display from over 5,000 total. The museum is organized thematically rather than chronologically, treating objects as works of art. You'll find eight exhibit rooms, a temporary exhibit room, two workshop rooms, a museum shop, and two courtyards.
Don't miss
- Eight exhibit rooms, each with a different theme representing aspects of ancient Ecuadorian cultures, such as cosmology, relationships with ancestors, religious ideas and rituals, and the environment.
- A collection of over 5,000 archaeological pieces, with 500 on permanent display.
- Thematic organization that encourages visitors to make their own visual and cultural connections, rather than following a chronological or geographic order.
- A restored colonial building just off Plaza San Francisco.
- Guided tours available in Spanish, English, or French at 10:30, 12:00, and 15:30.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
You can visit Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art on your own. A guide mainly adds context, what you are looking at and why it matters, and a tour can add transport or combine nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inQuito Old Town Free Walking tour Small group English guide Cacao5★ · 61 travelers2-3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$5 per personSee dates →
Most bookedGastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings4.9★ · 1,234 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$40 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleLet me show you Quito! Complete Private City Tour5★ · 54 travelers8-10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$77 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- The museum has ramps, a lift, a bathroom, and a wheelchair for visitors with reduced mobility.
- Guided tours in Spanish, English, or French are offered daily at 10:30, 12:00, and 15:30.
A bit of history
The museum is located in a colonial house built in the 17th century during the Spanish Colony.
Common questions
How is the museum organized?
The museum is organized thematically, not chronologically or geographically, with eight rooms each representing a different cultural aspect of ancient Ecuadorian societies.
What kind of objects are on display?
The permanent collection features pre-Columbian archaeological pieces from most societies that once inhabited all regions of what is now Ecuador, treated as works of art.
Is the museum accessible for visitors with mobility issues?
Yes, the museum offers ramps, a lift, a bathroom, and a wheelchair for visitors with reduced mobility.
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