The historic fortified city of Cuenca is located on a look-out point between the gorges of the Huécar and Júcar rivers. Its steep streets, unaltered proof of its medieval past, as well as its consideration as a city-come-landscape, gained it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Plaza Mayor
The main square is the nerve centre of the city's monument collection and the starting point for any visit. It is trapezoidal in shape and the cathedral, town hall and Las Petras Convent occupy three of its corners.
Catedral de Santa María de Gracia
The cathedral was built on the site of the former Arab mosque. Construction began at the end of the 12th century and was completed in the middle of the 13th century. It was the first Gothic cathedral of Castile and is built in Anglo-Norman style. In the following centuries it was altered and restored, which explains the presence of architectural features in different styles.
The "Hanging Houses" are the city's most emblematic feature, and the one that characterises it on postcards. The houses are built straight onto the wall formed by the gorge of the Huécar River. Their location, suspended over a ravine, makes them one of Cuenca's greatest attractions. One of them (three remain) now houses the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art, where you can enjoy works by Antoni Tàpies, Eduardo Chillida, Antonio Saura and Fernando Zóbel, among others.
Puente de San Pablo
This is the footbridge that crosses the Huécar River. The original bridge was built of stone in the 16th century. It ended up collapsing and another was built of iron and wood at the beginning of the 20th century, taking advantage of the old foundations. It is one of the best vantage points from which to take a photo of the Hanging Houses.
This tower is located on the site of the former Arab fortress. It was built in the 16th century and renovated in the 20th century, in a Neo-Mudéjar style. It has served as the municipal clock and is one of the emblematic features of the city.
Walks, Routes and Trails
Cuenca has many routes and walks, among which the St. Julian Hermitage Path and Vantage Points can be highlighted, a leisure area with fountains and lush vegetation whose path to the hermitage is a classified path (SL CU11), or the Zarza Cave Path, a panoramic route that crosses the gorge of the River Huécar with views of the old quarter, and which starts at the former St. Paul’s Convent (now a National Tourism Parador). Another good option is the Cerro del Socorro route which has a vantage point from which the entire city can be admired.
A visit to the Cuenca Zip Line, home to Europe’s longest urban double zip line, is a must. It is an experience with a path spanning 445 metres at a height of 120 metres and a speed of 75km per hour.