Guano: Views, History and Handicrafts

Guano brings together scenery, historical landmarks and local handicraft traditions. A striking starting point for taking in the surrounding area is Colina de Lluishi: this rock formation of volcanic origin is a natural lookout point. From there, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Chimborazo, Carihuayrazo, Tungurahua, El Altar and Los Cubillines.

Rock Art and Views from Colina de Lluishi

The hill is home to three hand-carved stone monoliths. They were created in the 1940s by Luis Felipe Reinoso, a stonemason and artist from Guano. The figures depict an Inca face, a fish and a vessel. Some petroglyphs are also among the features passed down from Colina.

The Grotto of the Virgen de Lourdes is located in the upper part of Colina de Lluishi. It can be reached via the steps known as the Viacrusis. The lookout point, monoliths, petroglyphs and grotto give the hill a range of historical and cultural associations, while the view of the surrounding peaks adds a scenic highlight.

Collections at the Museo de la Ciudad

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. The collection items are arranged in different rooms. The second room, the Hall of Ethnic Lordships, displays ceramic vessels from the Tuncahuán and Puruhá cultures. They are dated to 400–500 AD and attributed to the Elenpata, San Sebastián or Guano, and Huavalac styles.

The fifth room displays paintings on canvas and a mummy. The mummy is thought to be the remains of Fray Lázaro de Santofimia, a Spanish Franciscan missionary and the churchwarden of the Iglesia de la Asunción at the time. The mummy on display at the Museo de la Ciudad was found in a window of the former church after the 1949 earthquake and restored in 2005.

Another historical site is the Ruinas del Monasterio de la Asunción. They include 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. A baptismal font is also part of the site; it was presumably used for baptisms.

Handicrafts and Traditions in Guano

Local crafts include leatherwork and carpet weaving. There are workshops for these crafts in Guano; many craft shops are located at the entrance to the town and around Parque Central. According to tradition, the Spanish introduced looms to Guano for making ponchos, bayetas and carpets.

The handmade Alfombras de Guano were certified as part of Ecuador’s intangible cultural heritage 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 rolls filled with panela syrup.

Religious traditions also shape the course of the year. In Guano, the Virgen Inmaculada is venerated in the neighborhood of the same name and at its church. Celebrations in her honor take place every year on December 8, making this a recurring date in local tradition, regardless of the festivities planned for any given year.

For a thematic overview, the main highlights can be easily distinguished: Colina de Lluishi combines views and rock art, the Museo de la Ciudad displays ceramics and historical artifacts, and the workshops and carpets represent local craftsmanship. This makes it easy to explore Guano through the themes that are most interesting to you for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Cacha, Cajabamba, Alao, Bucay, Pallatanga, Guamote, Chunchi, Alausi.

For the broader travel overview: Chimborazo.