Cuenca
Located in the south of Ecuador at 2500 meters of
altitude , Cuenca is the capital of the Azuay province and it is also
called Santa Ana of the four rivers of Cuenca. 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.
 Ecuador's third-largest city, Cuenca has a strong
intellectual tradition, boasting three major universities and several
smaller ones. With its large student population and popularity with
foreigners, the city also has a modem edge, with international
restaurants, art galleries, cool cafés and welcoming bars all tucked
into its colonial architecture. Cuenca's location in one of the
country's most traditional regions also bestows the city with a very
strong indigenous presence.
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 an important crafts
outlet and stands at the center of the panama hat trade, so the shopping
is excellent. It's also a good base for visiting nearby Parque Nacional
Cajas, local hot springs, villages and markets, and the Inca ruins of
Ingapirca. |
