CUENCA
Visit on of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador. Witness its cultural and arquitectonic richness, visit its plazas and museums, its famous hanging houses by the Tomebamba River, visit its markets and get to know its people.
The city of Santa Ana of the 4 Rivers of Cuenca is located in the southern part of the Country, in the province of Azuay. It was founded in 1557 and it is located at 8,364 ft (2,550 mts) above sea level. Cuenca is one of the few cities of the world that is surrounded by 4 rivers, the Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Tarqui and Machangara.
In December of 1999, the UNESCO declared Cuenca “Cultural Patrimony of Humanity” because of its beautiful colonial arquitecture, its culture and the beauty of its crafts.
Among its main monuments, we can find the Cathedral, famous for its red marble and Moorish domes. Visit the traditional convent of the Conceptas, the Churches of Santo Domingo, San Blas and San Sebastian. Admire its history in the museums of Central Bank, Casa de la Cultura, Remigio Crespo Toral and the Azuayan Institute of Folklore. Also visit the places where the famous Paja Toquilla (Panama Hats), original of this region, is made as well as its beautiful market of Flowers.
The surroundings of Cuenca are just as beautiful as the city. Visit the valley of Chordeleg, known for its traditional gold and silver jewelry, the town of Baňos and its natural Water Springs of volcanic origin. You cannot complete a visit to Cuenca without visiting the Inca ruins of INGAPIRCA.
INGAPIRCA RUINS
Is today the most important arqueological temple in Ecuador. With its eliptic structure, this was an adoration temple for the Canaris e Incas, where they would engage in ceremonies to adore to the Sun God, as well as use it for military and astronomic purposes.
