The building was the first hospital founded in the city, established by the Spanish Crown.
It is one of the oldest civil buildings in the Historic Center of Quito.
The structure occupies a full city block and served as a hospital for over four centuries.
Archaeological evidence found on-site confirms indigenous settlement long before the Spanish colonial construction.
The museum preserves the original pharmacy, including early 20th-century glass medicine bottles and tools.
The interior contains a mural depicting the social history and transformation of the hospital wards.
The building's architecture reflects the transition from Renaissance design to later colonial styles.
The Museum of the City (Museo de la Ciudad) is housed in the former San Juan de Dios Hospital, which served Quito's population from 1565 until 1974. The building itself is a colonial-era architectural landmark featuring multiple internal courtyards and traditional stone masonry. Exhibits trace the history of Quito from its pre-Hispanic foundations through the colonial period and into the modern era. Permanent displays focus on social history, documenting the lives of both the elite and the laboring classes who built the city. A key portion of the museum is dedicated to the medical history of the hospital, including original apothecary equipment and recovery wards. The museum complex includes the Chapel of San Juan de Dios, which remains part of the institutional heritage. It functions as part of the Fundación Museos de la Ciudad network.
The central courtyard featuring the colonial fountain and stone arches.
Allow extra time to explore the internal courtyards, which are often overlooked by visitors.
Inquire at the front desk about temporary exhibitions, as these often occupy the secondary galleries.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the original stone flooring can be uneven.
Do not rush through the lower floor, as it contains essential context regarding the building's original hospital function.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume; flash photography is generally prohibited in the older, delicate wing.
