The complex of Todosantos is located in the heart of Cuenca, Ecuador, in the eponymous historic neighborhood Todos Santos. Built in the nineteenth century on the site of a sixteenth-century Inca ceremonial site, the complex had suffered severe damage from aging, exposure to seismic activities, past interventions, and fire.
On December 1, 2012, the complex of Todosantos celebrated the completion of a two-year restoration project that has given the historic site a new and sustainable life.
Following the inclusion of Todosantos on the World Monuments Watch in 2010, WMF supported a restoration project at the convent and the historic gardens.
Cuenca, a World Heritage Site since 1999, is renowned for its panaderias, or bakeries. Todosantos was part of the beginning of the town’s bread-making tradition. Since the nineteenth century, the Oblata nuns would create bread and other baked goods to sustain the complex while they passed on the recipes and techniques to the local community.
The traditional oven was fully restored. For the first time since the fire in 2005, the bread baking tradition was active at Todosantos.
Throughout the convent the stucco finishes, applied in recent years and damaged by the fire, were removed and replaced with bahareque—a pre-Inca construction technique that mixes sugar cane, straw, local plants, and clay.
Inca-era stones from the Pumapungo Archaeological Park can be found at the gardens at Todosantos complex.
Over time, uncontrolled plant growth covered historic stones, impeding access to the garden.
During the restoration project, pathways were created following the stone remains to allow visitor access to the historic gardens and to a lower terrace overlooking the Tomebamba River.
Inside the convent, the nuns’ quarters were rehabilitated, new electrical and plumbing replaced outdated and damaged systems throughout the complex. Rooms that had remained abandoned or used for storage for several years were adapted to accommodate new functions including a gallery, restaurant, and multi-use spaces for the local community.
Traditional local dishes and baked good are available at Todosantos’ restaurant.
During restoration, pre-Inca stones were discovered when damaged modern concrete was removed. These stones were cleaned and demonstrate the layers of history associated with Todosantos.
The convent’s vestibule was rehabilitated to welcome visitors to the gallery and restaurant and to serve as a gift shop featuring local crafts.
The restoration work at the complex of Todosantos has given the historic site an active and modern role as a cultural center for the community, while providing for the long-term sustainability of the site.
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