The ancient basilica in Riobamba is an extraordinary and, in a way, unique temple. A local monk designed it, and citizens donated the money for the building. Local masters did all the works, and the artists and the sculptors of Riobamba decorated the interiors. It is the most loved church among Riobamba citizens because its main altar displays the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue for which this temple commissioned the best masters of Barcelona.

In 1874, young Jesuit monk Manuel Proaño, inspired by the increased number of believers in the city, suggested building a monumental temple to conduct beautiful services. The National Assembly supported the idea. Unfortunately, the city didn’t have the budget for such a grand-scale project. So, the free-will whip-round was announced to start the construction.

And in 1883, there happened an upscale occasion, when the builders laid the foundation stone of the future main temple of the city. Another monk, Román Lecanda, was its architect. Designing the church’s outer look, he got his inspiration from classical architecture and the buildings of Ancient Rome. As the foundation of the future basilica, he chose a rotunda, a round room resembling the Pantheon.

It took more than thirty years to build the temple. Such a long-lasting timeframe wasn’t caused only by the national budgeting, which wasn’t perfect and regular. To support the interest in the erection of the basilica among the local community, the El Templo newspaper was published. It contained news about the executed work, reports on the money spent, and sketches of the future temple. The architect wanted to create a perfect temple with no equal in the country, and for that, he needed the best materials and the best-skilled craftsmen.

The basilica was completed in 1915. And, indeed, it became a unique religious structure in Ecuador. There is no other temple in the country that was built in the classical style. And there is no other church that was totally sponsored by the citizens.