Cuenca

Cuenca
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The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca is a medieval fortified city built by the Moors. The Upper Town is its historic heart, with the cathedral, aristrocatic houses, monasteries, churches and the remarkable "Hanging Houses".

The lower town that is also included consists of the medieval working-class suburbs of San Anton and Los Tiradores.

Year Decision Comments
1996 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

John Booth (New Zealand):
To save the long climb from the station to the Old Town, I took a bus from the station (#1 or #2) to the castle area. From here there is a panoramic view of the Huecar Valley, the hanging houses and the Tiradores district. From the castle it is a pleasant stroll down to the Plaza Major with its handsome town hall and ugly cathedral. Crossing to the west side of the plaza there is an interesting view down the Jucar Valley to the San Anton district. Passing the excavations of an old mosque, I continued downhill to visit the San Anton and Tiradores districts on my way back to the station.
Date posted: March 2010
Patricia Harper ():
We visited Cuenca in 2000 staying in the hotel cueva del Fraille just outside the town. The rock formations surrounding Cuenca are amazing. When visiting Encantada make sure you stop off at mirador del Diablo(devils window).
We were lucky to be in Cuenca at the time of a religious festival and were able to join in the parade. A really friendly place to be.
 
Ann Reeves (USA):
My husband and I were fortunate to be traveling in Spain in October/November of 2003. We rented a car in Barcelona and traveled down along the coast on a 3 week trip making stops here and there and eventually ending up in Sevilla. I had done plenty of research before leaving and Cuenca was one of the places that sounded fascinating. It ended up being the place we enjoyed staying at the most. Up in the higher elevations from where we had been traveling on the coast, it was very crisp in late autumn. We stayed at the very charming Posada de San Jose, which was quite an adventure just to find. The casas colgadas (hanging houses) were wonderful and the old city magical. There were some wonderful pottery shops in the Plaza Mayor close to the posada, and I bought some pieces to bring home with me.
Now everytime I look at them, I am reminded of the wonderful town of Cuenca, and the beautiful country of Spain. I can't forget to mention the Cathedral also located in the Plaza Mayor. The stained glass windows are marvelous and unusual, and as I recall more recent additions to the building that was begun in 1182. I took pictures in every direction standing on the San Pablo Bridge. From Cuenca we took a day trip to Ciudad Encantada, and walked the area looking at
the unusual rock and geologic formations. Wonderful scenery all the way there and back. We took the circular route.
All in all, Cuenca is not to be missed if you enjoy history and beautiful scenery. I hope to return some day.
 


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