Hacienda history in the past: Haciendas in most cases were founded by Spanish conquistador elites in return for services to the Spanish crown. Settlers received large gifts of land from the Spanish, and managed expansive farms.
Where does the word Hacienda come from? The word is derived from the Spanish verb “hacer” or “haciendo”, which means ‘to make or making’, and were largely business enterprises consisting of various money making ventures including agriculture, raising farm animals, and maintaining orchards. In Ecuador, land grants were largely in the sierras – the beautiful, mountainous highlands that are blessed with rich volcanic soil for agriculture.
In South America, the haciendas remained even after the collapse of the colonial system in the early 19th century when nations gained independence. Over time, these hacienda estates became self-sufficient communities and were built to a very large scale, borrowing architectural influences from Spain, with the end result being glorious historic homes in spectacular rural settings.
The hacienda system was officially dismantled in Ecuador in 1964 as a result of the Agrarian Reform Policy. Most haciendas nowadays are reduced to a much smaller area of land around the historical house, after centuries of land reform and selling of land parcels to neighboring farmers.
Some of Ecuador’s haciendas have remained in the same families for centuries; but since they no longer operate with the labor on which they were founded, many have opened their doors as elegant hotels or resorts maintaining their original architecture, gardens, and old world ambiance.
Ecuador is home to a number of beautiful traditional haciendas which have opened their historic doors to the public and now offer a gorgeously unique place to stay.
Hacienda San Augustin de Callo
This splendid Ecuadorian hacienda is one and 1/2 hours south of Quito, and faces directly to a magnificent view (depending on cloud coverage) of Cotapaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. It’s history tells a story of the Incas, the Spaniards, and the Republican Era of Ecuador. From the courtyard you can see three…
Posada Ingapirca
Ingapirca, Ecuador Posada Ingapirca, a 200 year old property, previously was part of a Hacienda which actually included the archaeological ruins of Ingapirca. Two hours north of Cuenca, the property is only one thousand feet from what is Ecuador´s most important and largest archeological site. Some of the stones from the Ingapirca’s Inca and Cañari…
Hacienda La Ciénega
Lasso, 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. In 1735 Gregorio Eugenio de Matheu y De la Escalera took over the inheritance of the…
Hacienda La Compania
Cayambe Ecuador La Compañía was one of the oldest haciendas of the region. Part of its land had been given in 1584 to Bartolome Ruiz. It was sold to the Jesuits who started to plant wheat , barley, and corn. The chapel and barn were built in 1605. The chapel and barn were built in…
Hacienda Andaluza
Riobamba, Ecuador La Andaluza is set in an historic Hacienda, surrounded by tradition and history as well as the mountains and volcanoes. The Hacienda is found 10 miles outside of Riobamba in the Indian area known as Chuquipoggio, meaning watershed, from the Indian words chuqui (water) and poggio (shed), signifying that water flows there. This…
Hacienda Cusin
San Pablo del Lago,Otavalo, Ecuador Luscious is the word I would use to describe Hacienda Cusin outside of Otavalo. Luscious, and charming, and colorful and romantic! Hacienda Cusin is a restored, 400-year-old Spanish colonial estate. Staying here is literally like stepping back into another time. There are at least two theories of where the name…
Hacienda Zuleta
Zuleta, Imbabura Province, Ecuador Dating from the late 16th century, Hacienda Zuleta is a colonial working farm of 4,000 acres that has belonged to the family of Mr. Galo Plaza Lasso, a former president of Eucador, for more than 100 years. It was chosen as one of the world’s “Top Ten Finds” by Outside Magazine…
Casa de Hacienda de Su Merced
Puembo, Ecuador A 16th century hacienda farmhouse, with more than 400 years of history. Located in Puembo, which is in the valley of Tumbaco, not far from the Quito Airport. Walls painted by Ecuadorian artists. The gate to the property… The best “chocolate helado casero” homemade chocolate ice cream – EVER!! Lovely gardens to wander…
Hacienda Santa Rosa de Cuendina (Abandoned)
Cuendina, Ecuador I must admit, sometimes I enjoy abandoned haciendas even more than the restored haciendas you can actually stay in. I know I am not alone in this. There have even been books written on this subject such as “The Pleasure of Ruins” by Rose Macaulay. Renaissance painters romanticized Greek ruins, because ruins are…
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Haciendas In Ecuador 