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Passport Ecuador
Passport Ecuador
Things to do
Day Trip - Ingapirca
7)
Artesa
– One of the top
companies in Latin America
for the manufacturing of high
quality, and expensive, hand
painted and decorated ceramics.
Take a tour of the factory and
check out the exquisite products
in the store. (Location: Av. Isabel
La Católica 1-102, east of Av. De
Las Américas)
8)
Museo Del Banco Central
– For many, a visit to this museum
is a highlight of
their visit to Cuenca.
The museum covers
several floors, contains
an elaborate botanical
garden, and an
archaeological site. It
includes many colonial
and religious artworks,
plus recreations of
typical dwellings
from different parts
of Ecuador. Don’t
miss Tomebamba Hall. The museum is build over the ruins of an
Inca palace, Pumapungo. Outside you can see additional Inca
archaeological ruins.
(Location Calle Larga
and Av. Huayna Capac)
Ingapirca
– A short two hour drive from Cuenca brings you
to the largest pre-Columbian architecural complex in Ecudaor.
The Cañari are believed to started the complex and used it
as a religious site. When the Incas conquored the Cañari, the
Incas ordered all the Cañari men to go to Cusco, Peru, while
the Inca men took up
residence with the
Cañari women as a
way to slowly impose
their culture on the
Cañari society.
At Ingapirca, you will
notice oval structures.
Ovals were comon in
Cañari architecture
but they were never
used by the Incas. It is believed that the oval structures were
built by the Cañari and then the incorporated by the Incas
into their palace.
You can easily get to Ingapirca by car, bus or a tour excursion
from Cuenca. Make sure you go with an english speaking
guide. Most of the resident guides
do not speak English.