Experience a captivating combination of physics, folklore and Ecuadorian culture at the Museo Intiñan Solar (Intiñan Solar Museum). Learn how the Incas determined the centre of the Earth, try interactive exhibits that challenge the laws of physics and watch traditional music and dance performances.
The museum’s intriguing and family-friendly main attractions revolve around the museum’s zero-latitude magnetic equatorial line. Watch a demonstration of the Coriolis Effect by seeing water rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise depending on what side of the equator line it is on. Try to balance an egg on a nail head and attempt to walk along a straight line without losing your equilibrium.
Go to the Totemic Forest to see displays of intricately carved totem poles. They represent the beliefs of ancient cultures of the Americas, such as the Mapuche, Maorí and Rapa Nui people. Find out about the relationship between the totem poles and Inti, the Incan sun god. Check out the model of the Galapagos Islands, which highlights the archipelago’s main islands and wildlife.
Visit the reconstructions of indigenous huts to glimpse into the rural life of Ecuador’s ancestral cultures. See a life-size dwelling and the hunting tools used by the Waorani people. Chat with Quechua-speaking people and watch a tzantza, a curious head-shrinking ritual. Go to the Agora to enjoy theatrical performances and special events.
Situated in the village of San Antonio de Pichincha, the Museo Intiñan Solar is about a 45-minute drive from Quito’s city centre. Combine your visit to the museum with a visit to Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). Here you can take a photo with a foot in both hemispheres, visit an ethnographical museum and try science exhibits. Public buses link the two attractions to Quito. Alternatively, arrange an excursion with a travel agency.
The museum is open daily and there is an admission fee. Guided tours are available in English. Further information is available on the museum’s official website.
