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| Other sites of interest |
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Gualaceo
This city, with its average temperature of 16°C, is known for its crafts. Worked silver and gold articles, baskets, articles of woven palmetto and pita fibers, saddlery, pottery and embroideries can all be purchased in the stores and at the outdoor markets in the central square and around the church, as well as at the CIDAP’s Handicraft Museum. Only 10 minutes away from the city is the town of Bulcay-Bulzhun, known for its woven woolen fabrics and macanas, or shawls, dyed using the Ikat technique. |
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Capital of the province of Azuay and surrounded by four rivers, the Tomebamba, Machangara, Tarqui and Yanuncay, Cuenca rises on a broad plain originally inhabited by the Cañaris, an aboriginal culture with archeological evidence of having lived three thousand years ago. Housing a large variety of colonial art in the 178 hectares of its historical center, Cuenca is one of the most beautiful cities in the country and as such is considered the Athens of Ecuador. Its exceptional value and architecture led to its being declared a World Cultural Heritage Site on December 1, 1999.
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It is only a short plane ride from Quito (50 minutes) or Guayaquil (35 minutes) to the Mariscal Lamar National Airport. By road, the 442 km trip from Ecuador’s capital takes 12 hours and from Guayaquil, 250km away, 5 hours to the bus terminal with its VIP Room and cable T.V.-equipped waiting rooms.
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Tourist Attractions |
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 Old Cathedral or Church of the Tabernacle
Built in 1567 on the foundations of a previously existing chapel dating back to a Spanish settlement before the city’s foundation, the church was converted into a cathedral in the eighteenth century. It consists of three naves divided by walls of brick and wood. There is a central altar and seven lateral altars. The cathedral’s tubular organ built by Cuenca artisans stands as an example of handsome wooden craftsmanship.
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 El Carmen de la Asunción Church
The main portal of this church, built together with the Monastery in 1682, is colonial in style. Inside stands a lovely baroque altarpiece and pulpit. Outside, colorfully dressed Cuenca cholas in their traditional garb offer worshippers their choice of multihued flowers.
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 Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin
The city’s symbol, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin, was started in 1840 and reached its present state in 1967, although some details are still lacking. The design is eclectic with a façade that is notable for its brick work. The walls and floor inside are faced with Italian Carrara marble. A handsome Romanesque gold leaf canopy covers the pulpit.
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 Central Bank Museum
Located on Larga and Huayna Capac Streets, the Museum houses a vast library of books, files, photographs and videos, where concerts are held and movies and videos are screened periodically. It contains an Ethnographic Room with a mosaic showing 22 ethnic groups, described one by one; the Tomebamba Room displaying an archeological sample of Cañari-Inca cultural elements; a Nineteenth Century Art Room and a Numismatic Room.
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