Ecuador’s third largest city with about 200,000 inhabitants, this is perhaps the most attractive city to visit. Cuenca is normally not included in the usual short Sierra round trip itinerary, but if you have time to travel further south, it is well worth seeing.
Most people fly to Cuenca, although some adventurous tourists prefer to drive all the way from Quito. It’s a long, winding and dusty trip along the Pan-American Highway South, but you are rewarded with great sights and breathtaking views. You should stay at least once overnight. By bus expect a minimum of 11 hours from Quito.
Cuenca was formally the Inca town of Tomebamba, but most of the Inca stonework was destroyed by the Spanish and replaced by colonial buildings. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, flowery plazas and museums make it a very interesting and beautiful place to explore.
The central square, Parque Calderón, is dominated by the new Cathedral, build in pink marble and has splendid blue domes. It contains a famous crowned image of the Virgin. You also find there the old Cathedral, which has a fine organ. The other side of the square is lined with the Court of Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Church of El Sagrario.
Cuenca is full of wonderful museums. The Museum of the Conceptas has a good collection of Colonial art; the Remigio Crespo Museum shows archaeological relicts and religious art; the Museum of Indigenous Cultures holds the well known archaeological collection of Juan Cordero. But these are only a few to mention.
There are lots of local markets and craft shops where you find pottery, woven tapestries with indigenous designs, exquisitely embroidered skirts and the famous Panama hats. The Panama hat originally comes from Ecuador. In Cuenca you find the best indigenous artisans, who weave straw with experienced nimbleness into Panama hats of the very finest quality you can find. It is fascinating to watch them in their workshops.
About 30 km west of Cuenca is the stunning “El Cajas" national park - a lake district with 230 lakes. You start at about 3,000 m above sea level and it is windy and cold up there. But the scenery is breathtaking, especially on a sunny day.
Another of the many side trips is Ingapirca, 96km (60miles) from Cuenca. It is the most northern fortress-temple of the Incas. |
