Cuenca: A paradise in the Ecuadorian Andes /

Cuenca, the provincial capital of Azuay in southern Ecuador, is located at 2,538 meters above sea level in a beautiful valley surrounded by Andes Mountains. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in all of South America, with one of the best preserved historic centers in the world, which led to its designation as an Ecuadorian Cultural Heritage on March 29, 1982. A beautiful city founded in 1557 in accordance with the strict urban regulations imposed thirty years earlier by the Spanish King Carlos V. The eastern zone of this beautiful city, which has a total area of ​​almost 16,000 hectares, is located in the Andes Mountains, while the western zone is on the coast. The temperature in this city is typically constant between 14 and 18 degrees Celsius. Do you want to discover more about this nice city?

A unique historical center in the world.

On January 1, 1999, the impressive historic center of Cuenca, which covers 224 hectares, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, taking into account the presence of pre-Hispanic cultures and the Cañari people in the Tomebamba Valley, the authenticity and uniqueness of the colonial and republican architectural monuments, a wonderful place to visit where the richness of its colonial art, modern art and contemporary art predominate.

The Plaza Central and the Parque Calderón, where visitors can see examples of Spanish churches built in the colonial style, such as San Sebastián, San Francisco, Santo Domingo, Cristo Rey and many others, are worth a visit.

Due to the abundance of handicraft shops, the historic center is the perfect place for tourists looking for handmade items or souvenirs. Here you will find genuine craftsmen and artists who have learned these traditional techniques and activities over several generations by making toquilla straw hats, tinsmithing, jewellery, ceramics, leather and various types of weaving.

Visit the New Cathedral, a special tourist attraction

Construction began in 1880 and was completed in 1975; it is also known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Cuenca. The representation of different architectural styles in this temple, such as Gothic, Roman and Renaissance, is what makes it so impressive. Calderón Park, in the heart of the historic district, in front of Plaza Grande.

The three magnificent sky domes, which adorn Cuenca’s sky and make it a perfect point of reference for locals and visitors wanting to go downtown, make it instantly recognizable from anywhere in the city, making the new cathedral Cuenca’s most important icon .

The main attraction of the church is the canopy, which forms the four columns that cover the main altar and is inspired by the Basilica of San Pedro in El Vatican. Inside the church you will find incredible artistic details and works of art made of marble and gold leaf.

¨Calle Larga¨, where does it take you?

Take advantage of your visit by exploring Calle Larga, a famous 2-kilometer street built in the 16th century, and other historical sites such as the Toquilla Straw Museum and Municipal Remigio Crespo Toral, where you can find some of the city’s historical treasures , including books, crafts and artwork dating back to 1557.

This street stretches for 15 blocks in the southwest part of the city, where you can also visit the August 10th Market, All Saints’ Church, the Old and New Cathedral and the ruins of Pumapumgo, a wonderful place to visit for its variety of attractions including a museum, archaeological ruins, aqueducts, Inca-era gardens, and a botanical garden.

Cajas National Park, a nearby destination to visit

The 29,000 hectares of Andean paramo in Cajas National Park, 20 kilometers from Cuenca, make it a true natural treasure. It integrates the western Andes mountain range and lies between 3,500 and 4,000 meters above sea level. It has 232 lagoons scattered throughout the area and is part of Ecuador’s National System of Protected Areas. You can engage in various activities there, such as camping, sport fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching of various bird and mammal species.

Visitors will be able to see the significant presence of cloud forests, which are believed to be home to 156 different species of birds, 43 different species of mammals, and 17 species of amphibians. Since there are still remnants of Inca-era roads connecting Cuenca and Guayaquil, Cajas National Park is also the custodian of a number of historical features. only a 40 minute drive from the city center making it the ideal place to visit.

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Typical food not to be missed

Ecuador is known for its diverse cuisine as each of its regions has its own unique recipes and each city has its own signature dishes. The following traditional foods and drinks are available in Cuenca.

• ¨Mote Pillo¨: This dish combines mote, or peeled and cooked corn, with white onion, garlic, achiote, eggs, milk, chives, and coriander or parsley before being fried. Usually it is offered with cheese slices and a cup of delicious coffee for breakfast.
• ¨Rosero¨: This drink is made from fruits and corn. The corn is washed, ground and cooked until it has the consistency of a colada. Cinnamon flavored spices are used to enhance it.
• ¨Papas con cuero¨: This soup is served hot and made with small potatoes that have been peeled and boiled in milk until thick. After this, the pigskin is added to give the dish a unique taste. Avocado and chili are usually served with this dish.
• ¨Horchata¨: This drink is made with a variety of medicinal plants, including plantains, linseed, mint, ataco, lemon verbena, chamomile, escancel, horsetail, and borage, as well as flowers such as roses, carnations, and hollyhocks.

The Tomebamba River is the center of many activities

It starts at the top of Cajas National Park and flows through the city’s historic district before connecting to the Amazon. Visitors are encouraged to stroll along the picturesque river bank to enjoy the fresh air, tranquility and sound of the rushing water. Many small parks are perfect for planning an outdoor lunch. Renting a bicycle would be a great recreational activity that allows you to observe houses and colonial buildings as you cycle along the riverbank to locations such as ¨Parque de la Madre¨, ¨Puente Roto¨ and ¨Puente Miguel León¨.

It is not surprising that the river flows through the city, since the first settlers of the area sought this location since prehistoric times to establish their settlements. For everyday use, the Cañari and Inca peoples erected their structures along the axes of latitude and longitude.

However, the rivers Tarqui, Machangara and Yanuncay form a total of 4 rivers that can be found in the beautiful city of Cuenca.

Turi viewpoint, a sight you will never forget

It is located in the upper region of Cuenca, 10 minutes from the city center, and offers breathtaking views of both the city and the surrounding area. It’s great to see the avenues and churches. The word “Turi”, meaning “gold”, is an indigenous word. located at an altitude of 2700 meters above sea level. You can visit the beautiful 1923 church, ¨Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Turi¨, after enjoying a panoramic view of the city. The mountain the view is from was a place of worship for the gods according to Inca culture. You can also enjoy the Aventuri Park where visitors can find swings, tightrope walking, ¨tarabitas¨ and other fun things, an ideal place for children and families.

Now you know more about this beautiful city, without a doubt a very special destination to visit, an Ecuadorian treasure in the south of the country. A combination of culture and modernity, what do you think of Cuenca?

Marcel Perkins is CEO of Latin Trails. Latin Trails is an inbound destination management company specializing in customized travel with a focus on providing unique experiences throughout Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and Peru.

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