Quito's Historic Center became the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 and stands as the second-highest old city center in the world at 2,850 meters elevation. This 304-hectare area contains 32 museums, 24 churches, and countless colonial buildings. The Baroque School of Quito showcases a unique fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish, and indigenous art. Cobblestone streets reveal brightly painted facades, hidden plazas, and authentic everyday life scenes that have remained unchanged for centuries.