The colonial pearl of Ecuador's Austro region – blue domes, stone bridges and the tradition of the true Panama hat.
The colonial pearl of Ecuador's Austro region – blue domes, stone bridges and the tradition of the true Panama hat.
Cuenca is Ecuador's third-largest city, located at 2,560 metres above sea level in the southern Andean region known as the Austro. Founded in 1557 on the remains of a Cañari and later Inca settlement, its historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 thanks to the exceptional state of preservation of its colonial and republican architecture.
The city is crossed by four rivers, the most important of which is the Tomebamba, whose shaded banks offer pleasant walks among stone bridges and colonial houses overlooking the water. At the heart of the city, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with its famous blue and white domes, is one of Ecuador's most photographed landmarks.
Despite its name, the famous Panama hat was actually born in Cuenca and its surroundings, where artisans hand-weave toquilla straw following a tradition passed down through generations. The hat took its name from the Panama Canal, where it was worn by workers during construction, but its Ecuadorian origin is now also recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Just a few kilometres from Cuenca lies Cajas National Park, a high-altitude landscape dotted with over 200 glacial lakes, ideal for trekking and birdwatching amid the Andean páramo vegetation.
If you're considering a trip to Ecuador, Cuenca is a must for lovers of art, history and local craftsmanship!
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