Despite being one of Quito’s most popular attractions, the Equator offers so much more than just the famous monument. Standing precisely over the equator, with one foot in each hemisphere, was a memorable experience for us. If you’re passing through this area, I highly recommend visiting the Ortega Maila Temple of the Sun Museum.
This stunning spot is located just outside Quito, making it perfect for a day trip that includes a stop at the Middle of the World Museum.
The beauty, sculpture, architecture, and intricate wall murals of the Sun Temple completely captivated us. The place also offers a breathtaking view of the nearby volcano, adding to its charm.
We took a guided tour inside the Temple to dive deeper into the history of the Incas. It was fascinating to learn about the culture and traditions preserved within these walls.
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How to Get to the Temple of the Sun Museum
As we drove away from Quito toward Calacalí, we noticed the entrance to the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve on the right. From the lookout’s parking area, we could see a unique structure resembling a castle, with a grand stone-walled entryway and a sun emblem prominently displayed at its center.
For those interested in exploring the area further, it’s also possible to book a Quito day tour that includes a visit to this fascinating temple.
What to Expect at Ortega Maila Temple of the Sun Museum
From a distance, we could see the long, towering stairs shaped like a pyramid. Along the sides, massive stone carvings of humans and animals stood proudly. As we approached, the scale of it all became clear, with the intricately carved stone figures towering above the gate that guards them.
Once we stepped out of the narrow passageway, we looked up to take in the full structure, noticing it was divided into three impressive levels.
The first level honors Ecuador’s ancestors and their deep connection to the Sun. It was fascinating to learn how the Sun dictated their lives — from planting and harvesting to marking the changing seasons, the equinox, and the solstice.
Standing before an unusually large clay pot in the center of the first level, we couldn’t help but look up at a thin column towering over it, almost forcing us to follow its path skyward. At the top, a replica of the Mask of the Sun fills the empty circular space between the three stories, seemingly reaching to connect with another similar mask shining from a symmetrically placed circle at the top.
Our guide shared the museum’s inspirations, explaining the Sun’s profound role in ancient civilizations and the unique magnetic fields present here, situated directly at the planet’s center.
As we moved into a softly lit room, a sense of calm washed over us. Inside, we found dreamcatchers of various shapes and colors, acoustic instruments mimicking sounds of nature like rain and wind, and an array of natural oils, each meant for a specific purpose. The experience became even more immersive as our guide asked us to open our hands, placing a drop of oil on them. We closed our eyes, inhaled deeply, and felt transported into a tranquil state. The musical sounds whisked us to an imaginary world filled with birds, flowing water, and gentle breezes.
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We continued with our tour and reached the second and third floors of the museum.
These floors are entirely devoted to Ortega’s works. We go about, enjoying the grandeur of the paintings on the walls and walking around the massive statues that appear to have a life of their own.
The open space connecting the three floors is truly impressive, with natural light flooding in from the circular opening in the roof, seamlessly linking the temple and museum areas.
Just next to the temple lies the dormant volcano, with its crater now lush and inhabited. Exploring the area by horseback is an option, though we didn’t have time for it, as we were also planning to visit the Middle of the World Museum.
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Bottom Line
We highly recommend visiting the Ortega Maila Temple of the Sun Museum for a truly unique and memorable experience on mainland Ecuador. Our favorite part of the tour was the aroma room, where we enjoyed a calming aromatherapy session. The cocoa tea served at the end was the perfect relaxing touch. If you’re in Quito, don’t miss out on this amazing site!
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