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Molino San Juan is a living testimony to wheat milling in Ecuador. Its adobe walls, inherited from the Compañía de Jesús since 1584, safeguard centuries of history, faith, and tradition.
For more than four centuries, this place has preserved a legacy of family, devotion, and culture, becoming an authentic witness to the country’s spiritual history.
In 1605, the property was entrusted to the Jesuit priests, who left an indelible mark on its identity. Builders of the iconic Church of the Compañía de Jesús in Quito, they also erected the hacienda’s chapel and other structures that still stand today—sacred spaces internationally recognized as symbols of art and devotion.
In 1618, Saint Mariana of Jesus, the first Ecuadorian saint, was born in Quito. Her childhood at the Hacienda Granobles in Cayambe forever bound her to these lands. Orphaned at an early age, she was welcomed by her uncle Juan Gabriel Granobles y Jaramillo, ancestor of the Jarrín family. Her memory endures in the hacienda’s small chapel, reminding us that identity, faith, and hospitality are values passed down through generations.
In 1767, King Carlos III ordered the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain and its colonies. The hacienda first passed to the Junta de Temporalidades, then to distinguished owners such as Mariano Gangotena and Ramón Paz y Miño, until 1864, when it was acquired by the Jarrín family, who have proudly preserved it for more than eight generations.
In 1890, Aquiles Jarrín—remembered as “The Great Gentleman of the North”—undertook an ambitious project: importing and installing the largest hydraulic mill in northern Ecuador. Designed by the French company Cusson, the machinery arrived at the port of Guayaquil and was transported to Cayambe by mule. History tells that the agreement was sealed by exchanging a diamond ring for the turbine parts. This extraordinary achievement, born of innovation and determination, was officially recognized by the National Academy of History of Ecuador in 2026.
Today, the descendants of Aquiles Jarrín safeguard this heritage. Known as Molino San Juan or Molino de La Compañía, the hacienda has become a cultural icon of Ecuador. Its legacy has been honored with more than 25 international awards for promoting sustainable cultural tourism. Visitors are welcomed into an authentic experience, deeply rooted in history, tradition, and hospitality—where past and present meet to celebrate the enduring spirit of Cayambe’s culture.
Panamericana Norte (Highway E35) – 4 miles from Cayambe (Road to Otavalo) – In front of Santa Clara village.
National Academy of History of Ecuador Endorsement 2026
