In reality, this Franciscan Convent should be considered The architectural complex of San Francisco, which occupies three and a half hectares, is composed of the main church, two smaller ones, several chapels, six cloisters and a school; it dates from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Its construction began with the main temple dedicated to Saint Paul (1553 – 1573), continued with the central cloister (1573 – 1605) and ended with the remaining five completed in 1652. This work was the result of the fruitful work of Friar Jodoco Ricke, who worked with Friar Pedro Gosseal – both Flemish – and with Jorge de la Cruz Mitima and Francisco Morocho, from Quito.