Guano can be explored through an unusual combination of landscape, rock art and traditional craftsmanship. Colina de Lluishi brings together a natural viewpoint, hand-carved monoliths and petroglyphs. The Museo de la Ciudad focuses on ceramics and the story of a mummy; the ruins of La Asunción tell the story of Guano’s first Franciscan church. Added to these are carpet and leather crafts, a local bread specialty and an annual religious festival. When choosing Guano, you can weigh up whether you are most interested in natural views, cultural heritage or craftsmanship.
Views and Rock Art at Colina de Lluishi
Colina de Lluishi is a rock formation of volcanic origin and a natural viewpoint. From there, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Chimborazo, Carihuayrazo, Tungurahua, El Altar and Los Cubillines. Naming all five mountains gives the view a distinct landscape focus: it is not just a general mountain panorama, but a view of specific peaks.
The hill is also home to three hand-carved stone monoliths. They were created in the 1940s by Luis Felipe Reinoso, a Guaneño stonemason and artist. They depict an Inca face, a fish and a vessel; there are also several petroglyphs. The views and rock art offer different points of interest: one draws your attention to the named peaks, the other to figures and additional rock markings at the same site.
Ceramics and a Mummy at the Museo de la Ciudad
The second room of the Museo de la Ciudad, the Hall of Ethnic Lordships, displays ceramic vessels from the Tuncahuán and Puruhá cultures. The ceramics are dated to 400–500 AD and attributed to the Elenpata, San Sebastián or Guano, and Huavalac styles. This classification makes the room a starting point for exploring the vessels’ different cultural and stylistic associations.
The fifth room displays paintings on canvas and a mummy. The remains are believed to be those of Fray Lázaro de Santofimia, a Spanish Franciscan missionary and the guardian of the Iglesia de la Asunción at the time. The mummy was found in a window of the former church after the 1949 earthquake and restored in 2005. The museum thus presents two distinct historical perspectives: the ceramics are viewed in terms of the dating of the objects, while the mummy is presented through its discovery and restoration.
The Museo de la Ciudad was inaugurated in February 2006 under an agreement between the Ilustre Municipalidad de Guano and the Instituto Nacional de Patrimonio Cultural. Together with the information about the exhibition rooms, this offers insight both into the collection and into the museum’s origins.
The Ruins of La Asunción
The Ruinas del Monasterio de la Asunción are the remains of Guano’s first Franciscan church, built around 1572. Surviving features include paintings on the walls of the former church, sculptures of monks and several windows. There is also a baptismal font, which was presumably used for baptisms. The cautious interpretation of its former use is as much a detail of the ruins as the paintings and sculptures.
Carpets, Leatherwork and Cholas de Guano
Guano’s craftsmanship combines a long-standing tradition with specific local products. According to local tradition, the Spanish introduced looms to Guano for making ponchos, bayetas and carpets. Today, Guano has workshops for leatherwork and carpet weaving; many handicraft shops are located at the entrance to the town and around Parque Central.
Handmade Alfombras de Guano were certified as intangible cultural heritage of Ecuador in December 2019. This was a prerequisite for the subsequent process of adding them to the country’s representative list. Another local specialty is Cholas de Guano: bread filled with panela syrup. For those choosing Guano for its craft and food culture, there are both textile traditions and a clearly defined local pastry to discover.
An Annual Festival Day
The Virgen Inmaculada is venerated in the neighborhood of the same name and at its church. Her festival is held every year on December 8. For travelers who would like to include this religious occasion in their plans, it is a specific date on the calendar. Alongside its landscape and craftsmanship, Guano therefore offers an annual event that could be a focus for a visit.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Alausi, Cajabamba, Alao, Chunchi, Pallatanga, Riobamba, Bucay, Guamote.
For the main travel overview: Chimborazo.
