Welcome to the Basílica del Voto Nacional, one of Quito’s most iconic places.

This audio guided tour, provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ecuador, is designed to help you discover the Basilica’s history, significance, and architecture.
Now, let us together explore the Basílica del Voto Nacional. Please listen to the audio guide as we start by moving towards the interior of the cathedral, namely to the altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
There are in fact two altars in this cathedral.

We shall first come upon “altar mayor,” or the main altar, located in the center of the Basilica.

Then, passing “altar mayor,” we approach the innermost altar, “altar corazon de Jesus” or the altar of the sacred heart of Jesus.

As you take in the beautiful artistry of the two altars, we will introduce you to the history and architecture of this magnificent cathedral.

The history the cathedral begins on March 25, 1874, when Archbishop Checa y Barba and President Gabriel Garcia Moreno consecrated the Republic of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In so doing, Ecuador became the first country in the world to consecrate its entire nation to the Sacred Heart.

Located in the historic San Juan neighborhood in the center of old Quito, the Cathedral sits aside the Convent of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary at the intersection of Venezuela and Carchi Streets.

Due to its size, intricate artistry, and architecture, the basilica is considered to be the largest neo-Gothic cathedral in the Americas.

The cathedral is called the “Basílica del Voto Nacional” which in English means the “Basilica of the National Vow.” 

The etymology of the word “Basilica” comes from Greek in which it means “house of the king.”

In 1883, Father Julio Maria Matovelle, in his capacity as a member of the National Assembly, proposed the construction of the cathedral.

Father Matovelle envisioned the cathedral as a sacred place permanently commemorating the consecration of the Ecuadorian nation to the Sacred Heart.

Thus on July 23rd of that year, the National Assembly officially approved construction of the cathedral, and this approval was reaffirmed the following year during the presidency of Jose Maria Placido Camagno.

On July 3, 1895, at the Fourth Meeting of the Provincial Council of Quito, the Archdiocese Church of Ecuador elevated construction to a “national vow” which is to say that the church made a vow, on behalf of all Ecuadorians, to dedicate the cathedral to the Sacred Heart.

This is how a “Basilica of the National Vow” was born.

The cathedral’s initial design was inspired by the Bourges Cathedral and devised by French architect Emilio Tarlier, who had designed similar structures in Spain, France and England.

Originally, the cathedral was to be erected in El Belen, just north of Alameda Park. However, since the soil there was deemed unsuitable, the site was changed to firmer ground at the foot of San Juan Hill whereupon land for the cathedral was purchased from the Hurtado family.
When construction was approved in 1884, the National Assembly allocated a total 12,000 pesos for the project, disbursing 1,000 pesos annually.

Importantly, Pope Leo XIII blessed the construction of the cathedral and a national consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was made. Accordingly, the Virgin Mary was proclaimed the patron saint of Ecuador.

The cornerstone was finally laid on July 10, 1892, as construction commenced with the erection of a semicircular chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Mary.

Over the next five years, the French order of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus supervised construction of this chapel. Then in 1902, at the request of Archbishop Gonzalez y Calisto of Quito, Father Matovelle and the friars of the Congregation of the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary assumed construction.

The chapel was finally completed in 1909 at which time it was consecrated as a national sanctuary during the reign Pope Pius X and Archbishop Gonzalez Suarez.

Thereafter, work proceeded piecemeal as donations from the faithful funded further construction. With gifts of money, material and labor, the faithful were consecrated to memory – their names engraved on stone plaques on the walls of the Basilica.

In 1984, when the Sacred Heart parish was established, the cathedral was designated as a parish.

The  Basílica del Voto Nacional as seen today was finished in time for John Paul II’s papal visit to Ecuador on January 30, 1985. Thereafter, the cathedral was officially consecrated and opened on July 12, 1988.


The cathedral is still officially under construction for, according to local legend, the day the basilica is completed is the day the world will end.


Architecturally, the cathedral’s façade is reminiscent of the Burgos Cathedral in Spain and Notre Dame in France, the main difference being the color and texture of the stone.

The cathedral’s size is astonishing. From the square floor to the top of the spire’s cross, the cathedral stretches a staggering 80 meters. Laterally, it is 138 meters long and 39 meters wide with the central nave measuring 35 meters high. 

Now, let us take a closer look at the cathedral’s interior.

Facing the main entrance on the south side of the cathedral, with the altar of the Sacred Heart on your left, let us move slowly along the right aisle.
With the main altar on your left, look under the balcony on your right.

You will find a second QR code attached to the right pillar below the door. Scanning the QR code will lead to the next sequence in our audio tour.