The church was constructed using stones taken from earlier local indigenous structures.
The date 1534 is inscribed on the facade, marking the year of its initial foundation by Diego de Almagro.
The architecture follows a simple, rectangular mudéjar-influenced floor plan characteristic of early 16th-century colonial outposts.
It sits on a high-altitude plain near the shores of Lake Colta, a significant natural landmark in the province of Chimborazo.
The site has undergone several restorations, most significantly after the 1797 Riobamba earthquake which severely impacted the region.
The church is dedicated to the Virgin of the Nativity, locally referred to as María Natividad de Balbanera.
The site represents the first cross planted by the Spanish during the settlement of the region near the first foundation of Riobamba.
The Balbanera Church, established in 1534, is recognized as the oldest Catholic church founded by the Spanish in the territory of present-day Ecuador. Located in the Colta canton, the structure serves as a tangible site of early colonial religious implantation in the Andes. The current building features a modest, stone-and-brick facade that reflects indigenous construction techniques merged with Spanish architectural influence. It is situated on the shores of Lake Colta, providing a backdrop of the Chimborazo volcano. The church remains a significant site for local devotion and pilgrimage, housing historical religious artifacts. Its founding coincides with the period immediately following the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire in the region.
From the lakeside path looking back at the church with the Chimborazo volcano visible in the distance.
Dress in layers, as the high-altitude location near Lake Colta experiences rapid temperature drops.
Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture both the church facade and the prominent Chimborazo volcano backdrop.
Respect the ongoing religious services; the church remains an active place of worship for the local community.
Avoid visiting on major religious feast days if you prefer a quiet experience, as the site becomes very crowded with local pilgrims.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor; modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected.
