Ibarra - City of Ecuador

Ibarra is a city in northern Ecuador and the capital of the Imbabura Province. It lies at the foot of the Imbabura Volcano and on the left bank of the Tahuando river.

Helados de paila was first made in Ibarra during Incan times, using snow from the nearby Imbabura Volcano . Using a large bronze pan surrounded by ice shavings, the juices of various fruits are stirred into the pan to freeze.

The city was founded twice. The first time, in 1606, was by mandate of the Royal Audience of Quito. A devastating earthquake on August 16, 1868 forced the city to be re-founded in 1872. Based on it's newest date of foundation, Ibarra is the youngest city in Ecuador.

Nowadays, Ibarra is a market town popular with tourists. It is blessed with fine weather, colonial white-washed houses and cobbled streets. The Santa Domingo church houses a museum holding paintings. The town is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ibarra.

Markets are on Saturdays, and the main festival is the Fiesta de los Lagos held on the last weekend of September. Also, two colourful parades known as El Pregón and Virgen del Carmen are held on July 16 every year.

Other town attractions are the many restaurants specialising in local cuisine, along with the clubs, discos and a well known paragliding club.