The mercenaries retaliated. Endless bullets were exchanged. Snipers fired from the cathedral bell tower … The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito has one elegant white bell tower. In the background is the Virgin of Quito, erected in 1976. Also called the Virgin of El Panecillo, the 135-foot-tall statue is located on El Panecillo hill overlooking the city. Sculpture Agustín de la Herrán Matorras created the Virgin Mary artwork with 7,400 pieces of aluminum.
