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When we travel to Quito either by Balbanera or by Pallatanga we pass through a picturesque Andean town, planted on both sides of the road and with a peaceful lagoon in whose waters the Chimborazo is reflected on clear sunny days; the railway line and the town of Cajabamba.

This beautiful lagoon is known in the Puruhá language as "Kulta Kucha", which means "Pato Lagoon". The Colta lagoon is unique, from Loja to Quito there is no other with such easy access, crossed by the railway line and the Panamericana. It is a large, elongated body of water, surrounded by lush vegetation. It can be seen from the road in all its splendor, adorned by the Chimborazo and by an impressive nature, with unique Andean landscapes.

Extension

The Colta Lagoon has an area of ​​2,500 meters in length by 1,100 in width.

Weather

In this place the climate is temperate, the temperature is between 12 degrees centigrade.





Location

The Colta Lagoon is located 19 kilometers, 20 minutes southwest of the city of Riobamba. It gives the name to the canton where it is located.





Flora

In this lagoon the reed grows, used for weaving mats and various handicrafts. In this place, agricultural products are also produced such as: potatoes, onions, corn, among others.



Fauna

Among the fauna that can be seen in the surroundings of this attractive lagoon are: migrant ducks, herons, sheep, a great diversity of birds, and colorful fish.

Attractive

• Church of Balbanera: It is next to the Colta lagoon. It is considered that it was the first church built by the Spaniards in Ecuadorian territory, in 1534. In a plaque that stands out in Balbanera, it is noted that this temple is the oldest in the country and was built to remember the Blessed Virgin of Balbanera. Details

• Sicalpa or Ruins of the Old City of Riobamba: These ruins show that the old Riobamba had 16 blocks in which eight churches stood out. In addition, here the official coins were printed during the Colony. According to a certain Ecuadorian archaeologist, ´´The Ancient Riobamba is in Ecuador like Pompeii in Italy´´

Caballitos de Totora: The caballitos de totora, are reminiscent of contact with the Chimú people, are made by the inhabitants of Colta, with totora extracted from the lagoon. In this place there are races of ´´caballitos de totora´´ crossing the lagoon from south to north.

Legends

Legend has it that the Spanish troops came to this place in times of the conquest, and when they stopped to give their horses a drink, they were surprised to observe the transparency of these waters, which is why they decided to drink them too. The same troops, mostly from the Extremadura region, decided in 1534 to build a church on the shores of the lagoon in homage to its patron: "La Virgen de Balbanera", a construction that became the first Catholic temple built in our territory.

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