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Cuenca Travel Guide |
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On This Page:Cuenca Overview
Cuenca is Ecuador's third-largest city, but it feels much more like a charming old-world town, with cobblestone streets and a rich collection of colonial-era churches, plazas, and buildings. A good deal of the city's colonial architecture remains intact—Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before the Spanish arrived here, Cuenca was the second-largest city in the Inca empire (after Cusco). The foundations of former Inca palaces became foundations for the city's churches and government buildings. Amazingly, when the Incas conquered the area, in the late 1400s, the Cañari had already been living here for centuries. The Incas—not unlike what the Spanish would eventually do—used stones from the Cañari structures to build their palaces. Several excellent museums here are dedicated to the city's rich and varied past. The Museo del Banco Central sits right next to the Pumapungo archaeological site, which was an Inca palace. Not only can you see the artifacts on display in the museum, but you can also tour the ruins of the palace, as well as its accompanying botanical gardens. A few blocks away, the Todos Los Santos archaeological site literally symbolizes the three layers of history—in one single area, you'll see structures built by Cañari, Incan, and Spanish settlers.
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AttractionsMuseo de las Culturas Aborígenes
Av. 10 de Agosto 4-70 and Rafael Torres Beltrán
Cuenca, Ecuador Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center) Description: This amazing private collection includes more than 8,000 Ecuadorian archaeological pieces dating... Read More Museo del Banco Central
Calle Larga and Av. Huayna Capac
Cuenca, Ecuador Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center) Description: This massive museum, archaeological site, and botanical gardens is the pride and joy of Cuenca.... Read More Museo del Monasterio de la Conceptas
Between Presidente Córdova and Juan Jaramillo
Calle Hermano Miguel 6-33 Cuenca, Ecuador Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center) Description: This small museum was a former monastery. The nuns' rooms and common areas of the two-story... Read More AirportsMajor Airports near Cuenca
Other Smaller Airports near Cuenca
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Cuenca Vacation Rentals from:
2 Bedroom VACATION HOME in CUENCA, ECUADOR
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Air Conditioning, Garage, Phone, TV
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