Cuenca

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Cuenca

A World Heritage Site, Cuenca is one of Spain's most memorable cities, its old centre a stage set of evocative medieval buildings, many painted in bright colours, stacked on a steep promontory at the meeting of two deep river gorges. Narrow meandering streets separate tall houses with wooden balconies that literally jut out over the sheer cliffs. Yet, despite its age and Unesco listing, Cuenca has somewhat ironically established itself as a vortex of abstract modern art. Two of its most iconic buildings – including one of the famed casas colgadas (hanging houses) – have transformed their interiors into modern galleries. It’s a theme continued in many of the town’s hotels, museums and restaurants.


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May 17, 2024: In the afternoon, we traveled to the Walled City of Cuenca, which is a UNESCO site.  We met our tour guide, Diego Alvarez Martinez, at the Parador de Cuenca.  We walked across the San Pablo Bridge to the walled city.  Once across the bridge, we come upon the famous Hanging Houses of Cuenca.  There used to be many of these hanging houses, but now, only three remain.  We then walk over to the Cathedral of Cueca, which is notable for its Gothic, Romanesque, and Neo-Gothic architecture.  From there, we visit the Mangana Tower and the Cerro del Socorro for views of the town.  The Cerro is on the top of the Hoz del Huécar and there lies a large statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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Architectural wonders of Cuenca and Toledo

Jul 24, 2024 • 7 min read

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