Palacio de Najas

The Palacio de Najas is defined by its ornate, pale stone facade and the wide, sweeping staircase that leads to its grand entrance. Built in the early twentieth century by the wealthy landowner Manuel Najas, the house serves today as the headquarters for the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During its construction, the heavy, imported French materials and intricate decorative details set it apart as a display of immense private wealth before the state eventually acquired the grounds for diplomatic use.