Exploring the Wonders of Cuenca

Capital and largest city of Ecuador’s Azuay Province, Cuenca is located in the southern part of Ecuador´s Andean highlands at about 8,400 feet/2,560 meters above sea level.

The center of the city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. In addition to many historical buildings, the city also offers friendly residents, very good food, and a much less hectic ambience than Quito.

Like in any of the Latin American cities built by the Spaniards, the main square is the first place to visit. Erected in 1557, the Old Cathedral (Iglesia de El Sagrario) has been lovingly restored and is now a museum for religious art as well as a popular venue for concerts and cultural events.

Sit awhile on a bench in Abdon Calderon Park before visiting the New Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción). Despite its blend of Romanesque Revival and Neo-Gothic architecture, the church isn’t nearly as old as it looks — it actually dates from the 1970s.

A couple blocks away, the Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion (completed in 1682) is one of the city’s majestic religious structures, a wonderful mix of Baroque and Renaissance design. the colorful flower market located in the atrium supplements the beauty of the church.

Catch a panoramic view of the entire city from at the lofty Mirador de Turi, which locals also call the Balcony of Cuenca. Small restaurants arrayed around the viewpoint serve typical local dishes like locro de papas (potato soup with cheese and avocado), empanada de viento (fried flour patty with cheese), Ecuadorian coffee or traditional canelazo, a delicious warm drink made with cinnamon water and naranjilla juice.

Sound inviting? Let Enchanted Expeditions design your visit to Cuenca and the rest of Ecuador.

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