The architectural complex of the Basilica of the National Vote of Quito as a visual representation of Catholic nationalism

Abstract

This article analyzes the architectural complex of the Basilica of the National Vote of Quito as a symbol of the Ecuadorian Catholic nation. It is argued that, in the process of forming the republic, a dispute arose between the political elites that led the Catholic Church to establish a project for a Catholic nation to preserve its privileges and domination of society. To visualize this type of nation, the Church promoted the creation of symbols such as the construction of an imposing temple that represents the alliance between God, Ecuador, and the Church. Since 1892, the construction of the Basilica began with the support of the conservative governments, a neo-Gothic style and with elements alluding to the country. For this approach, in situ observation was carried out, and reviews of the bibliographic archive, literature of that time and current studies.