Church and Convent of Carmen Bajo. In 1698 a strong earthquake destroyed the building of El Carmen Bajo, founded in 1669 in Latacunga (city located an hour and a half south of Quito). Later he was transferred to Quito where his construction work was encouraged by Bishop Paredes who died in 1745, the year in which construction was completed. The custodians of the temple are the Carmelite nuns, who maintain a life of contemplation and spirituality.