26 October 2012 / leggypeggy

Visit to philanthropist’s house in Quito

amazing houses, Ecuador, Quito, South America

Central courtyard

We spent almost a week in Quito, Ecuador, so had plenty of time to explore some of the lesser-known touristic sights. That’s how we happened to come upon the Casa Museo María Augusta Urrutia on a weekend morning when most of the city is out and about being seen.

This 19th century mansion belonged to Maria August Urruita, a well-known Ecuadorian philanthropist who focused on helping the poor, especially children and their families.

Upstairs terrace

Born to a wealthy family in 1901, Doña Maria married young and became a young widow. The mansion, which had belonged to her husband, was put to good use after his death as a place for feeding and schooling the young poor. Doña Maria also continued to live there alone with 24 servants until her death in 1987.

Guided tours are now offered around the house, with an admission of about $2 person. Many rooms remain virtually untouched, and provide a fascinating glimpse of how Quito’s upper classes lived in the 20th century.

The guide said the blossoms of this unusual plant die if anyone touches them

We saw the kitchen, with a huge old German range and lots of copper pots; the dining room, crammed with crystal chandeliers, French china, silver tea services and other family heirlooms; the grand drawing room, with fancy gilded furniture imported from Europe; as well as Doña Maria’s bedroom and that of her maid. Interestingly, the maid’s bedroom is the larger and more lavishly furnished.

The bathroom was closed for repairs (the ceiling is falling), but it is said to have beautiful hand-painted glass and fittings imported from England.

Photos were allowed only in the courtyards.

Fundación Mariana de Jesús, the charity founded by Doña Maria in the 1930s, owns the house now. The organisation strives to alleviate poverty in Quito.