About Cuenca city
Cuenca, city, capital of the province of Cuenca, and autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, in central-eastern Spain. It sits on a pyramid-shaped hill above the junction of the Júcar and Huecar rivers. Originally Roman Conca, Alfonso VIII of Castile took the city from the Moors in 1177, who made it a library in 1182.
It worked as a cultural and textile center in the Middle Ages. In the 19th century, the city spread to the neighboring land and actually became two cities: the upper, the ancient city, and the lower, the modern city, which is close to the Madrid railway. Seen below, the Casas Colgantes (“Houses in Rows”) of the old town seem to have disappeared.
The old city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site From 1996. The Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral (13th century) is significant and the city is home to the Provincial Museum of Archeology and Spanish Abstract Art. Cuenca has a large wood trade. Weak industrial development (leather industry, wood mills, paper mills and flour mills); manufactured goods include furniture, soap, leather and woolen products. Trade and local services are the main economic activities of Cuenca. popularity. (2007 first) 52,980.
History of Cuenca
The history of Cuenca is one of the richest in Spain, where the Iron Age can be traced through the remains of various cemeteries. Important Roman towns, such as those found in Saelices and Valeria, are also in Cuenca. The city also served as the seat of Roman Conca, which later became a territory ruled by the Visigoths, then the Moors, until the liberation of Alfonso VIII in 1177.
It was from this time that Cuenca would – get special powers. as a border town, it later became the seat of the Knightly Order of Santiago. Today, the history of Cuenca, Spain is captured in many interesting places and sites of the past scattered across the land.
The cathedral, located in the Plaza Mayor, dates from 1177 and shows the interest of different periods of architecture. Another famous church called Palcacio Episcopal dates back to the 13th century. Although the cathedral is historical, the town hall is new (a gem from the 18th century). To see a satisfying display of period furniture and various works of art, the San Pablo Convent in the area is a four-star state hotel that dates back to the 16th century.
The small town of Cuenca also reveals an interesting story. Alarcon is a well-preserved town with an ancient history. It is here that there is a castle and a magnificent church, where Don Juan Manuel was able to write many of his works. The hilly hills of the thriving village are considered to have been inhabited since ancient times.
After the Romans conquered the city, the Arabs turned it into a fortress, which was later captured by Alfonso VIII. In Belmonte, many well-preserved churches, castles and residences from the 15th to 17th centuries live. Other historical points of interest in Cuenca include the city of Huerte (with Roman, Visigoth, Arab and Christian connections) and the city of Mancha de San Clementa (founded by Catholic kings in the 12th century).
Things to do in Cuenca Spain
If you think that Cuenca in Spain is a small town outside of Madrid and doesn’t have much to do, you might be wrong. The list below will introduce you to a fantastic story, written from a narrow path, down to history and magic. Don’t stop here and continue to discover what to do and see in Cuenca Spain.
We will guide you through the most important sights and gems of the city. You can not imagine that only one hour from Madrid, there is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a small dot on the map, located in the rocky valley of Castilla la Mancha, the region of the horrors of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
The best thing to do
Learn about history at the Museo de Cuenca
If you are a big fan of archeology from Roman times, near the Hanging House you will find the Museo de Cuenca. (Cuenca Museum)
It’s always good to learn more about the city you’re visiting, so we recommend adding a museum to your day trip to Cuenca. The highlight of the collection is a first-century marble statue of Lucius Caesar, but other interesting exhibits include a reconstruction of an ancient Roman kitchen and ancient Iberian dolls.
Enter Cuenca Cathedral
How beautiful is this cathedral? Inside, more than outside. This beautiful cathedral was built from 1182 to 1270 and, along with that of Avila, it is the first Gothic style cathedral in Spain. Now for the exterior you will be interested in the remarkable details of the facade.
If the outside is beautiful, wait until you go inside and see the best part. With the incredible detail and craftsmanship you’ll find inside, we’ll leave you speechless.
There is no need to buy tickets in advance because you can easily buy them once you are in the cathedral. Make sure the plumbing part is beautiful and still works well. To emphasize that Cuenca was a useful place of worship during the Spanish rule in Ecuador, and there is a city with the same name in Latin American countries.
Visit the Paleontology Museum of Castilla-La Mancha
The beautiful museum of paleontology has a large collection of fossils from the region of Castilla-La Mancha. If you have children and are visiting the city, this is one of the best things to do in Cuenca. In fact, one of the most popular exhibits among visitors is that of dinosaurs.
What makes this museum unique is how the outdoor exhibits are integrated into the museum’s interior. The best part is that most fossils occur from real life. Apart from dinosaurs, you can learn about the oldest known life on earth, such as Mesozoic, Paleozoic and many others.
Walk around the Plaza Mayor and the City Hall
Also, Cuenca has the Plaza Mayor. It is one of the most beautiful and famous places in the city. Locals like to spend their afternoons strolling around the Plaza Mayor.
In fact, the Plaza Mayor is where you will find the famous cathedral that combines Gothic and Romanesque styles. Visiting Cuenca in September means you’ll get to see the famous bull and calf fights that take place in the Plaza Mayor.
“This festival is called San Mateo and it is one of the most important in Cuenca. Its origins go back to Alfonso VIII’s conquest of the city. Along with the town hall, these are the best things you can do in Cuenca Spain. Of course, be sure to visit the beautiful Baroque-style building of the City Hall that was built during the reign of King Carlos III.
