Cuenca, Ecuador

Catedral Vieja (Old Cathedral) of Cuenca, restored in 1999-2005
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuenca_Ecuador_Catedral_Vieja_Jesus_and_apostles.jpg
Author: Cayambe


Cuenca, which is known in full as Santa Ana de Los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca, is a city in central Ecuador. It is the provincial capital of Azuay Province in the sierra of the Andes.

Located between 2,350 to 2,550 m above sea level, Cuenca enjoys a year-round mild climate that is classified as subtropical highland. The daily temperature is quite constant, averaging around 14.5°C (58°F). Cuenca receives the most rain in April, at 109 mm (4.29 in).

According to archaeological discoveries, the area around Cuenca has seen human habitation going back to 8,000 BC. The earliest settlement in the area was established by the Cañari people. It was known as Guapondeleg, and was founded around AD 500.

Panama hats, Cuenca
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Casa_del_Sombrero_Store_Montecristi_or_Panama_hats_(3964874440).jpg
Author: Alex Proimos


The settlement of Guapondeleg was captured by the Incas around the 15th century, and they renamed it Tomebamba. The Incas under Tupac Yupanqui created a city of great splendor at Tomebamba, called Pumapungo, meaning "door of the puma". It is said to be a city of golden temples. This was the mythical city which the Spanish knew as El Dorado. The inhabitants of Tomebamba is said to have destroyed it before the Spanish got there. The Spanish under Gil Ramírez Dávalos eventually founded Cuenca on 12 April, 1557.

Today Cuenca is one of the major cities of Ecuador. It has a well-preserved old town which was laid out by King Charles V of Spain. The historic center of Cuenca was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999. making it just one of the two cultural heritage sites recognized by UNESCO as of 2011.

Court of Justice, Cuenca
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuenca_Ecuador_Corte_sup_Just_01.jpg
Author: Cayambe

UNESCO Inscription

The Historic Centre of Cuenca was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999. For the details, read about the Cuenca World Heritage Site.

Visiting Cuenca

The Mariscal Lamar Airport, located 2,532 m (8,306 ft) above sea level, is the airport serving Cuenca. It receives flights from Quito and Guayaquil.

Places of Interest in Cuenca

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