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Riobamba Travel Guide

Travel to Riobamba - Lively but Charming City

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Known as the liveliest city in Ecuador's Central Sierra, Riobamba has old colonial charm, with cobbled streets, pastel-colored buildings, stately squares, and an overflowing Saturday market.

Riobamba, or San Pedro de Riobamba, is the capital of the Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes, 200 kilometres south of Ecuador's capital Quito and at an elevation of 2 700 metres on the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

The region surrounding Riobamba was a Puruha Indian territory before it was conquered by the Incas during the late 15th century. The city wa founded in 1534 in the San Miguel plains, becoming the first city in modern-day Ecuador to be established. In 1563, Riobamba became part of the Spanish Empire's newly-formed Royal Audience of Quito. It was completely destroyed by earthquake in 1797, but rebuilt a few years later 14 kilometres away from its original location. In the Ecuadorian War of Independence, Riobamba first declared independence in 1820 but was soon retaken. The city finally became part of an independent Gran Colombia in 1822, and then a separate Republic of Ecuador in 1830.

Attractions in Riobamba

Among them are the Santa Barbara Cathedral, the Sucre Park, Parque 21 de Abril, Guayaquil Park, Ateno de Chimborazo Museum, Armas Museum, Arte Relegioso de la Concepción Museum, Ciecias Naturales del Colegio Maldonado, Casa de Bolivar, Córdova-Román, Antropológico del Banco Central, the Etnográfico de la Casa de la Cultura, Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Concepción Church, La Merced Church, San Antonio Church, San Alfonso Church, Casa Madre Church, and Capilla del Colegio San Felipe Neri. Travellers can also enjoy visiting nearby Parque Nacional Sangay wilderness area, the Chimburazo volcano, and the Nariz del Diablo.

The city also hosts some annual celebrations. Notable ones are the Fiesta del Niño Rey de Reyes, which starts in December and ends on January 6; Riobamba's independence day the 21st of April with many live concerts and lively parades; and the Riobamba Foundation that takes place the 11th of November.

Activities in Riobamba

Visitors to Robamba can enjoy various excursions, mountain-bike tours, the Nariz del Diablo train ride, trekking, climbing, Cockfights, and ball games.