Battle of Pichincha

Battle of Pichincha
Part of Ecuadorian War of Independence

Representative painting of the battle of Pichincha
Date24 May 1822
Location
Slopes of Pichincha near the current-day "La Cima de La Libertad" in La Libertad, Quito
Result Rebel victory
Belligerents

 Gran Colombia

Guayaquil
 Peru
 Río de la Plata

Spain

Commanders and leaders
Antonio de Sucre
Andrés de Santa Cruz
José María Córdova
Melchior Aymerich Surrendered
Strength
2,971 men 1,894 men
Casualties and losses
200 killed
140 wounded
400 killed
190 wounded
1,260 prisoners

The Battle of Pichincha took place on 24 May 1822, on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, 3,500 meters above sea-level, right next to the city of Quito, in modern Ecuador.

The encounter, fought in the context of the Spanish American wars of independence, pitted a Patriot army under General Antonio José de Sucre against a Royalist army commanded by Field Marshal Melchor Aymerich. The defeat of the Royalist forces loyal to Spain brought about the liberation of Quito, and secured the independence of the provinces belonging to the Real Audiencia de Quito, or Presidencia de Quito, the Spanish colonial administrative jurisdiction from which the Republic of Ecuador would eventually emerge.