Cuenca

Its amazing cathedral is one of the most important monuments to see in Cuenca. Despite the fact that it was never fully finished, its interior hides several features that make it unique and make it one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain. It was the first Gothic cathedral in Castile, together with that of Ávila. Its current façade was erected in the 19th century after the destruction of the original façade.

Cuenca’s Plaza Mayor is the vibrant heart of the city. The town hall stands beneath its arches, with the Cathedral just to one side. It is the scene of the city’s most important celebrations, including the internationally renowned Holy Week processions and the San Mateo festivities. Undoubtedly, one of Spain’s most charming plazas or squares.

The historic centre of Cuenca is located between the gorges of two rivers. One of them is the Huécar. The gorge itself is a natural monument and one of Cuenca’s wonders. It is a spectacular canyon overlooked by the Hanging Houses and where we can also find the Bridge and Convent of San Pablo, now a Parador de turismo. One of its rock walls served for centuries as a natural wall to the city.

Not suitable for people with vertigo, this bridge links both sides of the Huécar gorge. It allows you to cross from near the Hanging Houses to the other side of the gorge, near the Parador de Cuenca, offering breathtaking views of the gorge and one of the city’s most photographed perspectives. Do you dare to cross it?

The Museo de Arte Abstracto Español in Cuenca houses and permanently exhibits a collection of paintings and sculptures by Spanish artists of the abstract generation of the 1950s and 1960s, who shaped some of the most significant trends in Spanish art in the mid-20th century. The museum opened its doors on 1 July 1966, the result of the initiative of Fernando Zóbel (Manila, 1924-Rome, 1984), who donated his collection to the Fundación Juan March in 1980. Since then, this institution has increased and completed its collection with its own funds and by acquiring new works.

One of Cuenca’s most characteristic streets and an essential stop. Tall, narrow houses painted in bright colors line this street, creating one of the city’s most iconic scenes. It ends at the Anteplaza of Plaza Mayor, near the town hall.

This is the highest quarter of the city. This is where the castle was located, of which little remains today. From this area you have a general view of the two gorges between which the city stands and you will discover the marvellous natural setting in which Cuenca is located. Without a doubt, the best place to realise that nature itself is one of Cuenca’s most important monuments.

Built in the 17th century to house a community of Discalced Carmelites, this is one of the most original and beautiful mansions in Cuenca. With an absolutely irregular layout, it is necessary to distinguish the conventual part, the Casa de la Demandera and the church. Acquired by the Cuenca Provincial Council, it has recently been completely restored and now houses the Antonio Pérez Foundation Contemporary Art Centre.

A space that was once the Arab citadel, then the Jewish quarter and later an area of ancestral homes of the Castilian nobility. Today it is a splendid public square that includes the remains of part of the layout of the Andalusian palace, the Jewish synagogue and the church of Santa María de Gracia. The Torre de Mangana (Mangana Tower), the city clock since the 16th century, stands out. In this enclave there are two viewpoints from which you can enjoy splendid views of the old city and the expansion of the new city.