Resting at the foot of the Imbabura Volcano in northern Ecuador, Ibarra is the capital city of the Imbabura Province, and is known for its beautiful plazas, ancient churches and wealth of museums. Visitors can stroll through the delightful The Parque La Merced, the city’s main plaza, and see the exquisite gold-leaf-covered altar for the Virgen de la Merced, patron saint of the armed forces at the adjoining Iglesia de la Merced church. Other notable churches include the intricately decorated and colorful Iglesia de Santo Domingo, home to La Virgen del Rosario, an artwork by the famous painter Diego de Robles. The Museo Arqueologico y Etnografico Atahualpa features several small galleries exhibiting artifacts from the Caranqui, who were in power before the Inca, while a range of other museums is scattered around the city.