Ecuador: Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
Hacienda San Agustin de Callo is about an hour and a half from Quito by car. This hacienda was built on the site of an Inca palace, and is one of the two most important archaeological Inca sites in Ecuador. Two rooms of perfectly carved volcanic stone walls have survived the centuries intact. One is currently in use as the dining room and the other is maintained as a chapel. Surrounded by the smoke-blackened walls of the dining room, one can marvel at the infinite precision of the stonemasonry, a monument to the unrivalled craftsmanship of the Incas, and admire the stunning view of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. The Inca stonework at this hacienda dates back to around 1440 A.D. In addition to the two standing Inca rooms, previously unknown portions of Inca walls and foundations have recently been discovered during the restoration of the house. In the main courtyard it is possible to see three distinct styles, Inca (15th century), Spanish Colonial (18th century), and Republican (19th century) .
Inca Hacienda San Agustin de Callo, with Cotopaxi Volcano in the background
My favorite room is the Inca Tambo Suite, because it features the remaims of an Inca wall, which were discovered while renovating the main building. There is a queen bed and three fireplaces, including one in the bathroom, which also has an antique tub. A side door in the sitting room leads out to the gardens.
Oh, and the hacienda has trained llamas that march into the central courtyard twice a day and eat carrots out of guests’ hands. I’m not making this up.
