Cuenca is Ecuador?s third-largest city and home to the country’s second most beautiful and well-preserved colonial downtown. It comes as no surprise that in the year 1999, UNESCO named it a World Heritage site. This friendly and quiet city is rich in history and architecture. Walking down its cobblestone streets, and plazas or immersing yourself in the impressive natural scenery that surrounds the city will give you a good taste of everything it has to offer. When visiting Ecuador, before or after your Galapagos adventure, make sure you spend some days getting acquainted with the country?s stunning Andes region. The cities and landscapes of Cuecna will certainly take your breath away. And while you’re in the area, why not make the beautifully renovated family mansion Casa Gangotena tu campamento base antes de dejar que comience la exploración? ¡Cuenca te espera!
Por tierra o en avión
Cuenca can be reached both by car or airplane. The city of Cuenca has its own airport and flights from various airlines leave on a daily basis. If you are tight on time, this might be the best way to go, as you will get there faster and have more time to enjoy the city. However, if you?re lax on time and wish to have a broader view of the Ecuadorian highlands, a car ride is a good option. A non-stop drive to Cuenca would take around 9 hours, but you can split this up into two days, allowing for stops to be made along the way. While driving south of the equator, stop at Latacunga and try some chugchucaras, take a detour to the amazing Quilotoa crater lake, admire the Ilinizas and Cotopaxi as you drive through the Avenida de los Volcanes, and try to get a glimpse of the impressive Chimborazo volcano. These are just some of the beauties that decorate the southern highlands of Cuenca. Take pleasure in the calmness of a road trip through the mountains and have your camera ready!
Cuenca: De Cañari, a Inca, a Español
Cuenca tiene una historia prehispánica que se remonta al año 500 a.C., a la época del pueblo Cañari. Cuenca está ubicada sobre un importante asentamiento Cañari llamado Guapondeleg (que significa “llanura tan grande como el cielo”). Menos de un siglo antes de la llegada de los españoles, los Cañari fueron conquistados por el Imperio Inca después de una ardua batalla. Muy pronto, los Incas se apoderaron de Guapondeleg y reemplazaron la arquitectura Cañari por la suya. Eventualmente, Túpac Yupanqui, el Emperador Inca, ordenó la construcción de una gran ciudad llamada Pumapungo (la puerta del puma) en Guapondeleg. Sin embargo, los Incas fueron conquistadores inteligentes y absorbieron de las culturas conquistadas cualquier característica que sintieran que podía enriquecer la suya. En este caso, fueron los logros astronómicos y agrícolas de los Cañari. Cuando los españoles llegaron al territorio ecuatoriano luego de tomar Cajamarca en Perú, los Cañaris decidieron aliarse con ellos para derrotar a los invasores Incas. Sin embargo, estos más tarde se volvería contra ellos. Los gobernantes españoles fueron despiadados y trajeron consigo enfermedades; como los indígenas no tenían defensas contra estas enfermedades, diezmaron a la población Cañari. Más tarde los españoles construirían un pequeño asentamiento en las cercanías, pero la fundación oficial de la ciudad ocurrió mucho más tarde en el año 1557, cuando fue bautizada como “Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca”. Sin embargo, habría que esperar hasta el año 1820 para su independencia de los españoles, convirtiéndose así en la capital de la tercera provincia independiente de la recién constituida República del Ecuador.
Cuenca en la actualidad
Today, the city of Cuenca is recognized for its rich culture, art scene, clean streets, and kind people. Even though the city went through a rough patch during the 1999 Ecuadorian financial crisis, it recovered successfully and it?s now considered one of the cities with the best standard of living in all of Ecuador. For this reason, many American retirees have chosen it as a destination to spend some quiet years while enjoying the beauties of the city and its surroundings. While in Cuenca, have a taste of history and visit one of its many museums, including the Pumapungo Museum or Museum of Aboriginal Cultures. Walk through its picturesque streets and plazas, and marvel at its old cathedral called ?El Sagrario? which stands across the new cathedral called ?Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción?. And if you want to do a little shopping in Cuenca, visit any of its handicraft markets, like the Market at Plaza San Francisco, and be sure to try on a selection of handcrafted Panama hats. Did you know Panama hats come from Ecuador and that the best ones come from Cuenca? Visit Homero Ortega P & Hijos and find your perfect fit. If a taste of nature is what you are looking for, go for a hike at Parque Nacional El Cajas ? located on the outskirts of Cuenca ? and marvel at the view of its lakes and rolling hills. Or maybe just go for a stroll by the Tomebamba River ? one of Cuenca?s four rivers ? to get a glimpse of both old and new Cuenca. We guarantee you will fall in love with the delightful Andean city of Cuenca!
