Pelileo

Pelileo (full form, San Pedro de Pelileo) is a city located at the center of the Andean region of Ecuador. It is the capital of Pelileo County (48,988 inhabitants, 2001 Census), and forms part of the Province of Tungurahua. It was founded by Antonio Clavijo in 1570 and was elevated to the status of county on July 22, 1860.

On August 5, 1949, Pelileo was totally destroyed by an earthquake. Some 5,000 people died within the limits of the county. The only remaining structure still visible from the old city is a broken stone pilar, once part of Pelileo's magnificent main chuch.

A new city was rebuilt in a nearby location. Currently it is therefore possible to visit both the Great Pelileo (Pelileo Grande), and the New Pelileo (Pelileo Nuevo).

Pelileo is also known as the Blue City, in reason of its booming jean industry, mainly located in El Tambo. One of the parishes of Pelileo is the world famous Salasaca, home to a native American tribe originary from Bolivia that came to the Ecuadorian Andes as mitimaes. Another parish, Huambalo, is well-known as the home of artisans of fine furniture.

The main market days in Pelileo are Saturday and Tuesday.