La Cuenca city is located in the community of Castilla La Mancha, in the homonymous province. It is characterized by having an architectural heritage that has become a symbol of the city, but it has many points of interest that can be a great visit.
Let's see what can be seen in Cuenca, a small city in which to enjoy a getaway. A population that seems to have been inhabited since the Paleolithic but was actually founded with the Muslim conquest. Let's discover its main corners.
Visit the Enchanted City
The Enchanted City is a natural space that is very close to the city of Cuenca, in the Serranía de Cuenca Park. It is about 25 kilometers from the city center and is an essential visit, especially for those who enjoy hiking. It is a place of great geological importance due to the rock formations that in their process of change have formed capricious figures. They can be seen from elephants to crocodiles and bears. The guided tour is highly recommended in which they help us discover the shapes in the rocks.
Hanging houses
All the Hanging Houses are one of its main monuments, which have become a symbol of the city. Views from outside are spectacular, with the wooden balconies, elongated and built on the rocks, right on the edge of the river gorges. The City Council bought them many years ago to prevent them from collapsing when abandoned, for a price of only 1.500 pesetas. They were uninhabited for more than fifty years and today two of them house a museum of contemporary art.
Visit the MUPA
This is the Museum of Palaeontology of Castilla La Mancha. Dinosaurs inhabited the site of the current Cuenca thousands of years ago due to the archaeological remains found, so we can find remains of large herbivorous dinosaurs and learn more about their life and appearance. It is an interesting visit to do as a family, enjoying the dinosaur reproductions with the children.
science Museum
This museum is perfect to also visit with children. It is located in a group of buildings from medieval times that have been rehabilitated to house the interesting science museum. Have a interesting planetarium in which to discover the stars, one of its most interesting points. On the other hand, you can discover curiosities about the climate or the planet and its species.
Main square
This monumental square is one of the most central places in the city, where you can see more movement. In the main square there are many terraces to take a break with views of this picturesque and central place that also houses some of its most important buildings. The town hall stands out in the square, with a beautiful baroque style on its façade. In this square there is also the Convent of Las Petras and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Grace. Next to the cathedral is the Episcopal Palace that has the Diocesan Museum. It is one of the squares with the most things to see.
Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Julian
After the Reconquest after the Arab occupation this beautiful cathedral was built, which is the main ecclesiastical building of the city. This cathedral has different architectural styles, although the Norman Gothic style stands out. It should be noted that the original facade collapsed and that the one we can see today was built in the XNUMXth century.
The Tower of Mangana
The old fortress was located on this site and this tower was built on its ruins. Until the XNUMXth century it was left with its original appearance, but then it had to be renewed due to the great deterioration it suffered. That is why it was given that neo-Mudejar touch that reminds us of Arab architecture. It also reminds us of the clock towers of Italy. Is he landmark clock in the city, but perhaps it was used as a watchtower due to its height, although it has not been confirmed.
Cuenca castle ruins
In this city the ruins of a old castle from the XNUMXth century of which part of the walls and towers is still preserved. It is possible to go through the arch of Bezudo, which is one of the old doors of this castle.
Convent of San Pablo
El Convent of San Pablo is of the Dominican order and it surprises above all for its location. It is located on the Hoz del Huécar, on the riverbed and at a considerable height, looking out over the rocks. Of course, it is peculiar to see how this type of construction is carried out in Cuenca, taking advantage of the arrangement of the rocks.