| Rivers, beautiful scenery where it´s
possible to see wild bears, charming cities, houses overhanging a canyon... Cuenca
is a surprising city and province and has a very special attraction for those
who know it. Places to visit in the city of Cuenca, Spain
Walking in Cuenca: The Huécar
Canyon - 5 km of precipitous countryside,
The suspension bridge and The Júcar
Canyon with overhanging houses. The Plaza
Mayor and the Cathedral are also worth
visiting.
Las Casas Colgadas (Overhanging
houses): (14th century) as their
name suggests part of their structure
overhangs the Huécar canyon creating
an impressive, eyecatching effect.
Cuenca's cathedral: This wonderful
cathedral is Gothic Anglo-Norman, the
only one of its kind in Spain.
Churches: Virgen de las Angustias
chapel
Museums in Cuena: The Antonio
Pérez Foundation (Contemporary
Art); The Cathedral Museum, The Overhanging
Houses Museum (Spanish abstract art);
The Museum of Cuenca (archaelogical);
The Castilla-La Mancha Science Museum;
The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art (modern
art, religious art, El Greco and others).
Shopping in Cuena: The Alfarería;
also the Santa Cruz Church Craftwork Centre.
For typical foods and drinks we recommend
resolí liquer (made from coffee,
cinnamon, orange peel...) alajú
(a special almond pastry with nuts, spices
and honey), egg custards (Confitería
Ruiz, El Convento and Marisol are the
3 most popular cake shops in Cuenca).
Restaurants in Cuenca: Mesón
Casas Colgadas (Tel. 969 223 509), a very
good reputation - very popular for cuisine
from Cuenca and La Mancha; Figón
de Pedro (Tel. 969 226 821), traditional
cuisine; Casa Mario (Tel. 969 211 173),
innovative and original cuisine; Rincón
de Paco (Tel. 969 213 418), one of the
most popular in the city for for traditional
cuisine.
Cuenca cuisine: The lamb from
La Mancha has earned a well deserved reputation
for excellence whether it is roasted or
in a stew, also the gazpacho with partidge
meat, free range chicken and ham. Rich
meat dishes, 'migas' (breadcrumbs fried
in garlic). The cusine from this region
is both original and individual such as
the river crabs or 'morteruelo' (meat
stew made with liver, rabbit, partridge
meat...). The sweets and desserts deserve
a special mention: el alajú (a
special almond pastry with nuts, spices
and honey), los pellizcos de monja (biscuits)
eaten with the rich liquer Resoli (alcohol,
coffee, cinnamon, orange peel...) is a
delicious combination.
Accommodation in Cuenca: our recommendation
is the Cuenca
Parador (****), a convent within
the area of the Huécar canyon,
with views of the casas colgadas. Also:
Hotel AC Cuenca
Cuenca
Province: An interesting, extensive province with a very small population.
There are 3 different areas: The Cuenca mountain range (an area of outstanding
beauty), La Alcarria, popularized by Camilo José Cela and la Mancha converging
with Albacete. Villages: Belmonte: this town has an
exceptional castle which is now recognised as a national monument. The urban area
is especially beautiful - it also has a rich heritage. Beteta:
small village with less than 500 inhabitants home to the famous Solan de Cabres
spa.
Huete: Notable archaelogical remains from diverse cultures and
civilizations
Alarcón:
(see Alarcón
Parador and Photos
of Alarcón) a small village
with 200 inhabitants with a Parador, one
of the most beautiful of the whole network
of Spanish paradors, with very few rooms
(see photo on the right).
The village, encircled by the Júcar,
has a number of extraordinarily attractive monuments and is surrounded by the
old wall. Las Pedroñeras: some nice rennaisance buildings
and home to Las Rejas restaurant is among one of the
best restuarants in Spain. Motilla del Palancar
Tarancón:
Barrio del castillejo Tragacete: a very pretty village
in the Cuenca mountain range from which you can reach some interesting countryside,
the source of the Júcar river and the source of the Cuervo river with waterfalls
which freeze over in winter creating an impressive effect.
Other
Places of interest: Ciudad encantada 35 km from Cuenca capital
- very interesting rock formations, declared of national interest in 1929
Useful links:
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