Tungurahua is one of the twenty-four provinces of Ecuador. Its capital is Ambato.
Tungurahua is one of the twenty-four provinces of Ecuador. Its capital is Ambato. The province gets its name from the Tungurahua volcano, which is on the borders of the provinces.
1. Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Elevation, Ambato
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Elevation Also Ambato Cathedral is the name that receives a religious building that belongs to the Catholic Church and is located between Bolivar and Montalvo streets in front of the Juan Montalvo Park of the city of Ambato capital of the province of Tungurahua in the center of the South American country of Ecuador. It has the distinction of Minor Basilica since April 1961. Its history goes back to 1698 when the original chapel was built that was destroyed by the earthquake of 1797. It was in 1954 when the present temple was inaugurated in replacement of another structure affected by a new earthquake in 1949.
2. Botanical Garden Atocha-La Liria
Botanical Garden Atocha-La Liria is a botanical garden located on Avenue Circunvalación, in Ambato, Tungurahua Province, Ecuador. It consists of 14 hectares and dates from 1849. It was established by Dr. Martinez Vasconez Nicolas, who acquired the properties that make up the Fifth La Liria. It is administered by the Municipality of Ambato, which created the Fifth Atocha and formed the botanical garden Atocha-La Liria. The first eucalyptus trees planted in Ecuador in 1849 when President Gabriel García Moreno came on a visit to meet Dr. Nicolas Martinez, are located in the garden, as is the Martínez-Holguín House Museum
3. Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa
This Basilica is dedicated to the Virgin of the Holy Water, which is credited with several local miracles. Inside there are several artworks by Father Enrique Mideros depicting the miracles.
4. Museo Fray Enrique Mideros
Adjoining the church, this museum in the priest’s former living quarters contains several oil paintings by Father Enrique Mideros as well as his collection of more than 500 pre-Columbian sculptures and utensils. Additional rooms house religious sculptures and assorted taxidermy (pumas, bears, snakes, and birds).
5. Llanganates National Park
Llanganates National Park is a protected area in Ecuador situated in the Cotopaxi Province, Napo Province, Pastaza Province, and Tungurahua Province. Located within the park is Cerro Hermoso, a 4570-meter high peak that is a popular hiking destination. The park is famous for the Treasure of the Llanganatis. The park can be accessed from a number of directions, but visitors usually come by way of towns like Salcedo, Patate, Pillaro, Baños, and Rio Verde.