Cuenca panorama
Cuenca is one of the cities that most surprises all tourists who travel through Spain . And it is not by chance. In 1996 it was named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Located in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, it is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Spain. Its exact location could be said to be between the gorges of the Júcar river and its tributary, the Huécar.
San Pablo Bridge
The climate is continental Mediterranean, with mild temperatures in summer and cold in winter. The rains are usually abundant in the environment due to the mountainous orography of the Serranía de Cuenca. They get to exceed 500 mm. In the summer months it rains very little.
Cuenca Cathedral
With a fairly modest population of 53,000 inhabitants , its old town has some of the most original architectural samples in the country. Without a doubt, the star buildings are the Hanging Houses . Built in the late Middle Ages, they defy gravity with their wooden balconies literally suspended in the air. The best way to see them is by crossing the San Pablo bridge, not suitable for people who suffer from vertigo. This bridge, made of wood and iron, crosses the Huécar sickle from the convent of San Pablo to the base of the houses. From there, it is recommended to go up the alley of the Hanging Houses until finally reaching the Plaza Mayor.
Hoz del Huécar
There we will find the Cathedral, built after the Reconquest. Its front part, with two open-air windows, is the starting point of an itinerary that takes us from Calle San Pedro to the castle, surrounded by medieval buildings painted with very cheerful tones that make us hang out.
Cuenca Main Square
After having seen the most visited of Cuenca, the best thing is to go along the Ronda de Júcar, a quiet path through cobbled streets and terraces that allow us to follow the course of the river and see very pleasant corners for the eye. When we reach the lower part of the round, we continue along Alfonso VIII and we can enjoy another of the classic constructions of the city: the skyscrapers . These are buildings overturned in the Júcar gorge that, in addition to growing upwards, extend downwards.
Cuenca at night
If we want to enjoy more incredible corners, we can stop by the Museum of Abstract Art or the Museum of Science of Castilla-La Mancha . It should be noted that Cuenca aspires to be the European Capital of Culture in 2016.
Hanging houses
Places and events that you cannot miss
– Easter in Cuenca
– Festivities of San Mateo (from September 18 to 21)
– Fair and festivals of San Julian (at the end of August)
– Cathedral Treasury
– Antonio Saura-Casa Zavala Foundation
– Museum of the Holy Week of Cuenca
– Torner Space
– Church of San Nicolás
– San Pantaleón Church, ruins
– St. Peter’s Church
– Church of Santa Cruz
– Church of El Salvador
– Seminar
– Castle Ruins with the Arch of Bezudo
– National Parador (Old Convent of San Pablo)
– San Pablo Bridge