At the top of El Panecillo, where the aluminum sculpture of the Virgin is permanently located, were placed figures made of fiberglass of the three wise men, which have an approximate height between 29 and 31 meters each, while St. Joseph measures 38 meters.

As has been the tradition since 2005, the donkey, the cow and the cradle are also represented at six meters each, and this year a 17-meter Christmas tree was added.

Three cranes were needed to lift the gigantic structure of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, which has 8,500 meters of LED lights that allow visitors to enjoy the work and the Christmas spirit every night.

The Panecillo is a natural elevation in the heart of Quito named for its resemblance to a small loaf of bread and is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the city, because from there you can see the capital’s geography almost in its entirety.

The majestic Virgin of Panecillo, composed of 7,400 pieces and located there since 1975, was created by Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras, who based it on the Virgin of Legarda or Apocalyptic, an 18th century work by Bernardo de Legarda, one of the most important representatives of the Quito School.

Beyond the religious origin, Quiteños and visitors, believers or not, can appreciate the nativity scene illuminated on the heights with the city at their feet.

mh/ode /avr