Cuenca Expats Magazine, Issue 45

Photos: courtesy of Jane Hiltbrand

This just might be the most romantic hacienda to visit in all of Ecuador. The construction of the hacienda began in 1695 when Matheo de la Escalera y Velasco started building the walls with volcanic stones. The dramatic entry to the hacienda was planted with a long row of eucalyptus trees. This lovely row of eucalyptus trees will still greet you today. In 1735 Gregorio Eugenio de Matheu y De la Escalera took over the inheritance of the hacienda with his wife Mariana de Arand Guzman y Ayesa, who was the Marquisa of Maenza—true Spanish royalty.  It is said that he fell in love with Mariana in Lima after seeing her outside a church service, kidnapped her and brought her to the Province of Quito escorted by one hundred servants. Once married, they made La Cienega their residence.

The hacienda is lovely. The front entrance greets you with a large arrangement of roses and a view through to the gardens. This area of Ecuador is full of rose farms, so there are roses everywhere in the Hacienda. You can sit and relax in one of the many long corridors and look out at the gardens. Warm fires welcome you in the fireplaces within the various salons. And, there are many choice period pieces of furniture. Of interest are the hallways lined with family genealogy charts and portraits, and photos of famous persons who have stayed here.

hacienda la cienaga
hacienda la cienaga

Alexander Von Humboldt stayed here in 1802, and you can stay in the Von Humboldt Suite. Von Humboldt was a German naturalist and explorer.  In 1800, and again in 1831, he described scientifically on the basis of observations made during his travels, the effects of human development on climate changes.  Humboldt is seen as “the father of ecology” and “the father of environmentalism.” In 1742, the French Condamine mission stayed in the hacienda. They were on a mission to determine the location. curvature, and size of the equator.

There is also a beautiful chapel in the gardens. The 10ft doors were hand-carved featuring the symbol of the marquisate of Maenza—a two headed eagle.  The earthquake of 1797, which mostly leveled Riobamba, also destroyed La Cienega, leaving only these doors. In the present day, the chapel may be used for weddings.

Hacienda La Cienega was converted into a hotel in 1981. The bedrooms in the main house have two-foot-thick adobe and rock walls, and the rooms are very authentic and historic. A newer section has been more recently built, and those rooms all have fireplaces and surround the gardens.

There is a wonderful restaurant, which is always open and visitors who are not guests of the hacienda can enjoy meals there as well. Tables are set up overlooking the gorgeous gardens, or in another room with a roaring walk-in fireplace.  Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine is served in appetizing and innovative dishes. I happen to be very fond of the coffee.

For a perfect end to your day, go up the stairs to the third-floor cupola where the Humboldt suite is located. Here you might be treated to a stunning and dramatic view of the magnificent volcano Cotapaxi at sunset.

hacienda la cienaga

INFORMATION:

  • +593 3 271 9182
  • email: info@haciendalacienega.com

ADDRESS

Panamericana Km 326, Lasso, Ecuador

 

hacienda la cienaga
hacienda la cienaga

RESERVATIONS:

  • phone: +593 99 001 6428
  • email: reservaciones@haciendalacienega.com