CUENCA UNFORGETTABLE
by
Enjoy
Ecuador Travel
ECUADOR MAP
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ENJOY PERU S.A.
Main Headquarters
Schell 343 - Of. 607
Miraflores - Lima 18
PERU
Tel: +51 1 702-2000
Fax: 511-445-1750
TOLL FREE numbers:
USA: 1-800-790-2961
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Call our TOLL FREE number: USA: 1-800-790-2961
Local Line: Spain - Barcelona: 0034-931846831 Argentina - Bs. As.: 0054-1159175461
 UK - London: 4-203-393-8867 |
Business Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am - 6 pm GMT - 5 hours
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SPANISH VERSION
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CUENCA UNFORGETTABLE
In Cuenca it's easy to forget one is living
in the 21st century; The city streets, the tall cathedrals
and the marble-lined and whitewashed buildings give it a
colonial air unparalleled elsewhere in Ecuador. As well
as being Ecuador's cultural "Mecca", Cuenca
is the capital of the province of Azuay, the third city
in size in the country, and the economic center for the
southern sierras. These distinctions, together with the
incredibly well preserved state of the city, recently earned
Cuenca the honor of being named an "Archaeological
World Heritage" by the UNESCO.
Cuenca is a city in southern Ecuador, capital
of Azuay Province, and is located in an Andes Cordillera
valley at 2,535 m altitude. The city supplies a large part
of the quinine produced in Ecuador, as well as the famous
"Panama Hats", thus called after their original distribution
place. It also has sugar refineries, wool textile mills,
fur and ceramics factories, and produces cereals, potatoes
and dairy products. Founded in 1557, it is a bishop's see
and home to two universities. Cuenca displays
its original picturesque colonial appearance, especially
the ancient mansions whose walls still bear inscriptions
with old Spanish proverbs. Population (2,000) - 345,353
inhabitants.
Cuenca is built over the ancient city of
Tomebamba, the birthplace of Huayna-Capac , son of the famous
emperor Tupac Yupanqui, who decided to found it over the
cañari settlement of Guapondelig, because of the respect
and admiration he felt for the social, economic and cultural
development of the peoples who, under the Confederation
of the Cañari Empire, he found in this territory.
Shortly after the defeat of the Cañari Empire, this same ruler, Tupac Yupanqui, decreed the building of a magnificent city that he would name Pumapungo, ("Doorway of the Puma"), and that would defy Cuzco, the capital city of the Inca Empire (in the territory of present-day Peru). When the Spaniards arrived in these lands they heard stories from the local inhabitants about amazing golden temples and other wonders. However, when they eventually found the legendary city, they only found ruins that clearly showed this city had once been the splendid second capital of the Inca Empire.
After being abandoned by the Cañari Empire, Cuenca
remained sparsely populated until 1550. Today's Cuenca
was founded in 1557, later than another of Ecuador's important
cities, Loja (founded in 1548).
Cuenca's population and importance grew
constantly during the colonial era, reaching a peak in the
first years of Ecuador's independence; it became the capital
of one of the three provinces that constituted the fledgling
republic. The other two were Guayaquil and Quito.
Cuenca's climate is very stable throughout
the year. Days are generally hot and nights quite cool.
The average daily temperature is 15° Celsius; the rainy
season that lasts, generally speaking from mid-October to
the beginning of May, has typically sunny mornings and cloudy
afternoons with scattered showers.
Since Cuenca is the capital of the province
of Azuay, we can recommend some circuits to give you a better
idea of its people, life and customs, among them:
City circuits
Central Bank Museum
This museum offers an interesting exhibit of historical
photos of Cuenca, antique musical instruments
and exhibitions by local artists.
Museum of Aboriginal Cultures
This museum displays articles of archaeological interest, particularly of pre-Columbian art, among which figure ceramic items.
Museum of Popular Arts
This museum displays traditional art items from local ethnic communities, including musical instruments and costumes.
Museum of the Conceptas
This museum displays the religious art and all the other religious items in a 17th century convent.
Calderon Park
 This Park is located across from the old Catedral de la Inmaculada (Immaculate Virgin Cathedral), which has now been remodeled and redecorated with impressive blue vaulting.
Del Carmen "Plazoleta" (small square)
In this place there is a colonial market run by the local church, plus a flower market.
Ingapirca Inca Ruins
These Inca ruins northwest of Cuenca consist
of a circular stone fortress wall. The Incas governed the
native peoples of Ecuador for about a century before the
arrival of the Spaniards in the 1530s.
Other circuits
Among other circuits outside the city, we can mention:
"El Cajas National Park", very close to
Cuenca and displaying fascinating fauna
and flora.
Cities south of Cuenca:
Giron, San Fernando, Santa Isabel and Pucara, all tourist-friendly colonial towns.
Cities northeast of Cuenca:
Chordeleg, Gualaceo, Paute, Guachapata and El Pan
In Cuenca we can find some very cozy restaurants
and bars that seem to invite us to explore them and have
a beer or two. Another interesting thing about Cuenca
are the market days, on Thursdays and Saturdays in the surroundings
of St. Francis and other churches.
A visit to Cuenca takes us out of our world
and back in time to relive Spanish colonial days. Be sure
to visit us, because you'll really enjoy it.
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