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Overview
Cuenca in Castilla-La Mancha in the center of Spain is one of the
peninsula’s oldest cities. Situated in the region known as Cordillera Ibérica,
Cuenca is located at a high altitude of 999 mt. in a great mountain air.
Strolling through the steep and narrow streets; visiting the monuments and
museums, resting in secluded spots; drinking from the fountains; experiencing
the magic of the squares; enjoying the town’s culinary delights such as
morteruelo, ajoarriero, zarajos, alajú and first-class wine from La Mancha are
some of the best attractions of Cuenca.
Things to Do and See in Cuenca
The places of interest in Cuenca include;
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Castle, Provincial Historical
Archive
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Cathedral
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Hanging Houses (Abstract Art
Museum)
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Convent of San Pablo (Parador)
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Plaza de la Merced
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Santuario de la Virgen de las
Angustias Shrine
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Iglesia Virgen de la Luz
Church
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San Pedro Church
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Church of San Felipe Neri,
City Hall, Hospital de Santiago, Concepcionistas
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Casa Zavala
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District of San martin,
Skyscrapers
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Abstract Art Museum
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Diocesan Museum
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Cuenca Museum
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Science Museum
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Arts and Crafts Centre
City Tours in Cuenca
The city tours to participate and discover the Cuenca include;
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The Day Tour
- Itinerary: Plaza Mayor-Cathedral-City Hall, Plaza de la Merced, Torre de
Mangana, Calle Alfonso VIII, District of San Martín, Church of Santa Cruz,
Bridge of San Pablo, Parador, Ronda Julián Romero, Plaza del Trabuco, Arco
de Bezudo, Castle District, Church of San Pedro, Calle San Pedro, Plaza San
Nicolás, Plaza Mayor.-
Walking Tour at the Cuenca uplands - A 10-12 hours
tour through the most spectacular landscapes and beauty spots in Serranía
Alta de Cuenca.
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Tour of the Castles, emblazoned houses and mighty
giants - A 12-14 hours tour along the La Mancha’s plains and hilly
woodland areas.
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Tour along the roads of La Manchuela - A 9-12
hours tour in the easternmost part of the vast region of La Mancha; La
Manchuela.
Cuisine ~ What to Eat
The main features of the
Cuenca cuisine include; hearty dishes,
red meats, good wines and toothsome confectionery accompanied with delicious
liqueurs. The most famous dishes are; Morteruelo, the dish is made from pig’s
liver and bread; Zarajos, a skein of lamb suckling’s intestines wrapped round
vine branches, roasted over an open fire and then sliced; Gazpacho pastor, the
dish with an omelette-like appearance with unleavened bread, diced hare’s and
hen’s meat, salt, pepper and paprika; Ajoarriero, the dish made from a
well-beaten mixture of potatoes, cod, breadcrumbs, boiled eggs and a soupcon of
garlic and oil; Pisto, fried vegetable hash; Lamb hotpot; Migas ruleras that is
based on breadcrumbs and white beans with partridge. As for the desserts;
almonds, mantecados, suspiros de monja,
torrijas and alajú made from honey, dried fruit and nuts, cinnamon and orange
and lemon zest and then covered in wafers. As for the drinks, Cuenca produces a
wide variety of reds, rosés and whites as it is one of the world’s largest
winegrowing region. Also Cuenca has a prime-quality cheese which carries the
manchego denomination of origin.
Handicrafts ~ What to Buy
The Iberian bull is the greatest
artisanal symbol of Cuenca. A replica of a drinking vessel kept at the Museum of
Cuenca and reproduced all over the area as well as the famous bottles with their
stylized necks are the spots of the handicrafts in Cuenca. Ceramics is also the
best in Cuenca. Traditional arts and crafts, woolen articles and handmade paper
are also popular. The Arts and Crafts Centre (Centro de Artesanía Iglesia de
Santa Cruz) is an exhibition area of the town where travelers can find ceramics,
leather goods, glassware, handmade toys, original jewellery to wrought iron
articles, paper ornaments, embossed tin and silverware and wickerwork.
Cultural Events &
Fiestas in Cuenca
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Fiesta of San Julián -
Patron saint of the city held in January 28
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Jueves Lardero on the
Thursday before Ash Wednesday
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Holy Week in
March-April. An Event of International Touristic Interest
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Religious Music Week
held during Holy Week. An Event of International Touristic Interest
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Autonomous Community Day
in May 31
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Fiesta of La Virgen de la
Luz. Patron saint of the city held in June 1
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Mediaeval Market in
July
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Local holidays on the
2nd fortnight in August
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Provincial Arts and Crafts
Fair at the end of August
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Naturama in September
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Fiesta of San Mateo in
September 18 to 2. A Fiesta of Regional Touristic Interest
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Regional Book Fair
Getting There
Access to
Cuenca is
easy.
There are many convenient ways
to get to Cuenca with a
series of national roads connecting it to some of the main cities in the central
and eastern areas of Spain. The National Road 320 links Cuenca with Valencia
(199 km) to the south; with Guadalajara (136 km)
to the north. The A-40
Expressway that is going to Tarancón links up to the west with the A3 in the
direction of Madrid (169 km) and continue to Toledo (182 km). The 420 goes to
the interior of the Autonomous Communities of Castile-La Mancha and Aragón.
Cuenca’s railway station is situated on the Madrid-Valencia line. There is also
a intercity bus services operating daily from
Madrid to
Valencia; also to
Barcelona, Teruel, Toledo, Albacete and Ciudad Real. The nearest airport is
Madrid Barajas Airport (150 km) and the Valencia Manises Airport (195 km) and
Albacete Airport (135 km). |
