The legend of the Atrio (Vestibule) of San Francisco

The original city of San Francisco of Quito, was the Shyri capital that was replaced with plazas and temples, one of them of a particular beauty is surrounded by a special legend. The Vestibule of San Francisco sits three meters over the plaza with an unnatural detail and perfection, was supposedly made with a pact with the devil.

During the colonial times, an Indian called Cantuña, inspired by the avarice and the desire of wealth, committed himself to the construction of this huge vestibule. With his time for finishing reaching its end and worried of being humiliated by the society and put into prison for not finishing. With his undying Indian pride he was nor going to give up. Begging for help without any answer, he decided to turn to the devil.

Hoping some miracle would occur he waited and then in the middle of the dark, a mysterious form in a red cape appeared before its eyes. Overwhelmed and without words, Cantuña did not say a word, the creature initiated the dialogue. I know your grief and your pain and know that tomorrow you will be mocked, if you do not allow me to help you. Before the rooster sings in the dawn the vestibule will be ready, all you have to do is signs this contract, in return I want your soul.

Do you accept?

Without hesitating, Cantuña accepted, but first clarifying that if in the morning before the last ringing of the church bells, if there is a single stone missing the contract will be null. In a short time hundreds of infernal beings began to raise stones and to work hard. Cantuña extremely worried with what he had done, returned sadly to his house, asking for pardon for his soul.

At dawn, when the bells began to ring, Cantuña quickly went to San Francisco. The work was almost ready, the little devils had done an incredible job and the face of Lucifer laughed to its victory and Cantuña's soul cried knowing he has lost.

The last bell rang and Lucifer exclaimed victory, your soul is mine. Cantuña also shouted victory, because there was a stone missing. There was a block missing and Cantuña's soul of was safe. Furious, Lucifer returned to hell with his disciples and the beauty of the vestibule remains today, however, until now locals and tourists look for the missing stone, but nobody can find its missing location.