A group of Ecuadoran nuns opened the doors of their convent to the outside world Saturday - a first since the order arrived in the South American country 150 years ago. The nuns of the Mothers of Augustine were expelled from Colombia in 1864 and subsequently settled in the center of Quito, where they have lived a secluded lifestyle ever since.
Currently, only seven nuns - two of them octogenarians - live in the cloister surrounded by thick white walls and accessible by way of heavy wooden doors. Now, at long last, they decided to give the public a glimpse to mark the 150th anniversary of their arrival in the Ecuadoran capital.
"It is the first time and the mothers believe it will be the last," Javier Cevallos, a foundation director who is organising the tours, told AFP. Only the head nun has contact with the outside world and an order from the bishop is required to enter the cloister, he added. More than 1,500 people have signed up for the unique opportunity this weekend.