In the heart of Quito’s historic center, Casa del Alabado safeguards one of the most fascinating collections of pre-Columbian art in the Americas. Housed in a 17th-century colonial mansion, this museum showcases over 5,000 archaeological pieces, some dating back more than 4,000 years.

Unlike traditional museums, Casa del Alabado does not follow a chronological order. Instead, it is inspired by pre-Columbian worldviews, organizing its galleries according to the way ancient civilizations understood existence. The exhibition is divided into three fundamental realms: the world of the living, displaying everyday objects and ceremonial art; the sacred world, featuring depictions of gods and shamans in states of transformation; and the underworld, a space dedicated to death, funerary rituals, and the connection with the afterlife. Each artifact is a window into the beliefs and spirituality of the cultures that flourished in the Andes long before the arrival of the Spanish. More than just a museum, Casa del Alabado is an invitation to experience the mysteries and grandeur of the pre-Columbian past from a unique and immersive perspective.