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Bolívar 12-55 y Tarqui

Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador

Tel: 593 7 2 823889

(Peach Room)

As you visit the historic district and walk down the cobbled streets gazing at the historic colonial homes adorned with ironwork balconies, you will understand why Cuenca is known as

“the Athens of Ecuador.”

The main historic district is located between the Tomebamba River and Gran Colombia. This is a good area to start exploring old Cuenca.

1) Parque Abdón Calderón – Located in front of the Cathedral de La Inmaculada, you will find Parque Abdón Calderón. It is a beautiful and tranquil park. The large palm trees provide shade to read a book or people watch. You will see children playing,

2) Cathedral de La Inmaculada Concepción – This Romanesque style “new” cathedral took over 100 years to build. It’s three distinctive giant domes were made from sky-blue glazed tiles from Czechoslovakia. When you look up at the bell towers, you will n

3) The Churches (Iglesias) – Start with the imposing 19th century Church of San Sebastian on Talbot near Bolívar. Many years earlier this plaza was used for bullfights. Next, visit the bare 19th century Church of San Cenáculo which can be found at the c

4) Museo del Monasterio de la Concepción - In 1599, one of Cuenca’s wealthy families donated its large home to the Catholic Church, and it became a cloistered convent of the Order of the Immaculate conception, or Conceptas. Now, half of the buildings are

5) Homero Ortega Panama Hat Museum – You may be surprised to learn that the Panama hat is actually a brimmed hat of Ecuadorian origin. Homero Ortega is one of the Ecuador’s best know purveyor of Panama hats, even the Queen of England has one. It is a fi

6) Shopping/markets – There are several venues. Plaza Rotary Plaza is more for locals and looks like a ramshackle, but you can find pots pans, handicrafts, artisan shops,wooden products, plastic trinkets, basketry, and fresh vegetables and fruits. (Loca

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 Cató

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

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 order

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.