Two cultural highlights stand out in Borrero: Paja Toquilla craftsmanship in Borrero Charasol, and the Charasol Cultural Heritage Corridor and Santa Marianita Temple. The craft focuses on production and demonstrations, while the buildings and places are associated with architecture, religious use, and historical information. When planning your visit, it may therefore help to decide whether you would especially like to learn about the work of the women weavers or explore architectural and historical topics.

Paja Toquilla Craftsmanship in Borrero Charasol

In Borrero Charasol, Azogues, 30 women weavers make hats, bags, and decorative items from Paja Toquilla for export. At the collection center in the Borrero Charasol parish, visitors can learn about the production processes and purchase items. During a tour of the workshop, the artisans demonstrate various techniques for making the products. Here, you can combine a look at the production process with the opportunity to buy finished items. The demonstration also draws attention to the techniques themselves: the craft is experienced not only through the types of products, but also through seeing the work in progress.

A tour operator offers an itinerary to San Miguel de Porotos that includes a visit to the association in Borrero Charasol. Tourists can buy products and souvenirs there. The association visit is therefore also part of a specific itinerary proposed by the tour operator.

Cultural Heritage Corridor and Santa Marianita Temple

The Charasol Cultural Heritage Corridor is located in the urban parish of Borrero, in Azogues, the capital of Cañar Province. Santa Marianita Temple is considered an architectural landmark of Charasol and is used as a venue for parish church events. It is therefore defined both by its architecture and by a specific religious use.

According to earlier studies, the temple became especially significant in 1910. One historical account places the creation of a mural inside the temple during the tenure of Agustín Crespo Heredia as parish priest, which lasted from 1927 to 1933. The dates refer to different historical details: 1910 to the temple’s particular significance, and 1927 to 1933 to the period during which the mural was created.

One report describes the area in front of the temple as having a fountain basin, distinctive lights, and gardens. The same report notes that the square is not maintained. As this may change, check the current situation before visiting if the area in front of the temple is important to your plans.

Which cultural highlight is right for your trip?

The practical difference lies in how you explore each place: Paja Toquilla craftsmanship centers on production techniques, demonstrations, and purchasing items; the temple offers architecture, parish church events, and historical context. If you are primarily interested in craftwork, the collection center, workshop, and the itinerary mentioned above offer specific points of interest. If your interest lies more in cultural heritage and architecture, focus on the Charasol Corridor and Santa Marianita Temple.

Discover more destinations: Canar, Ingapirca, Chontamarca.

Return to the broader travel guide: Cañar.