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El Barranco (Ravine) of Tomebamba River

The Tomebamba River Ravine is the natural southern limit of the Historic Center of Cuenca (Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO). The ravine is part of a bio-corridor with unique characteristics that crosses the city. In this place, history and culture are united with the landscape and architecture. The Viceroy Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza ordered, in the middle of the 16th century, that the city of Cuenca be founded with the same name as his hometown in Spain. At present, both cities are sisters and both have a ravine with similar qualities. The Tomebamba’s Ravine has an extension of two kilometers. It begins in the Vado neighborhood and ends in the Pumapungo Museum and Archaeological Park. It is possible to walk along the Ravine in an integral way, by any of the two margins of the river. But along the margin of Paseo Tres de Noviembre, you can also travel the ravine by bicycle. Points of interest in the Tomebamba’s Ravine, for postcard photos, along the way are: the Casa de los Arcos, the descent of the Centenario Bridge, the Ordóñez family house, the old Hotel Crespo, the Remigio Crespo Museum, the CIDAP (Interamerican Center of Popular Arts), the stairs of the Parque de la Madre, the church and neighborhood of Todos Santos, the Broken Bridge and the Pumapungo Museum and Archaeological Park. Through several pedestrian and vehicle bridges, the historic city on the side of the Tomebamba River Ravine, is linked to the new city on the other side of the Tomebamba River. A relatively recent place is the Alameda 12 de Abril, a tree-lined walk that allows one to observe and photograph the Tomebamba River Ravine from a greater perspective, while walking between the Centenario Bridge and the Todos Santos Bridge. A romantic myth idealizes the Tomebamba River Ravine. There is a belief that its landscape and nature are an inspiration for poets, musicians, photographers, lovers and visitors. But without a doubt those who enjoy walking it, marvel at its hanging houses, the abundance of birds and the diversity of species of trees and plants. It also attracts the tranquility provided by the sound of the waters of the Tomebamba River. Today it is possible to stop the walk and enter one of the bars or restaurants open in the area to enjoy excellent food, a refreshing drink and beautiful panoramic views of the new city. The Barranco is a must see in Cuenca. It allows the realization of sports, artistic or outdoor activities. During the 70's and 80's of the 20th century a trade was developed in the Tomebamba River Ravine, the washerwomen. Women who went down to the riverbank to wash clothes. Another typical activity that was lost due to the over exploitation of the resource, is fishing. Decades ago, during the season, the people of the valley would come down by the thousands to the ravine to collect fish from the river waters. The Tomebamba river is the city's main water resource. It is born in the lagoons of the Cajas National Park, a source of drinking water. The Tomebamba River is a tributary of the Paute River where, downstream, in the middle of the Eastern Andes, the largest hydroelectric dam in Ecuador operates.

2.18 Km.

natural

Volcanic Springs & Spas at Baños of Cuenca

The rural parish of Baños, southwest of the city of Cuenca, is considered one of the most attractive places to rest and recover. Almost eight decades have passed since the use of the thermal waters in this area for recreational and healing purposes began. Baños preserves its image of a typical Andean rural town, dominated by its imposing celestial temple consecrated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. The church was built by miners or community workers in the 1950s. It is an imitation of the New Cathedral, in the center of Cuenca. The upper part of the parish is a viewpoint of Cuenca. The 8th of September is the feast in honour of the Virgin of Guadalupe. However, everything changed in the town with the modernization of its spas with thermal volcanic waters, inns and restaurants of typical food. There are different offers to enjoy services such as hydromassages, professional massages, surface and underground pools, contrasting hot springs, mud caves, Turkish baths, among others. In the gastronomy, the famous “empanadas de viento” (wind pie) stand out. The gastronomic tradition that also makes Baños famous, was started by Rosa Nasipucha. Nowadays there is a varied offer of food in dozens of businesses. The thermal waters of Baños are attributed with curative properties. These waters have their origin in "La Loma de los Hervideros" (the Hill of Boilers). The water comes to the surface at a temperature of 75°C. After cooling them, they are used at about 36 to 42°C. José Barros Alemán, an elderly man from the parish, remembers that the spa service was started by the family of Ricardo Durán Brito and Matilde Alemán, who founded Balnearios Durán in the 1940s. Mr. José remembers that people used to walk from Cuenca, because there was no transport. They were groups of young people from schools and universities, who went to the only place in Cuenca with a 25-meter swimming pool to practice swimming. Then the pools were increased. And more recently, more and more spa services specialized in the area of well-being and beauty have been opened, such as Piedra de Agua or Novaqua Spa.

3.17 Km.

Ancestral Pottery Workshop by Encalada & Sons

Interest:Culture Type : Manufacturing Industry Friendly with: children, families, seniors, disabled Relevant categories: Historic Center of Cuenca, Cultural Heritage of Humanity UNESCO - Within the Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve UNESCO - Within Cuenca, National Cultural Heritage of Ecuador Hours : Monday to Sunday 08:00 - 18:00. Variable hours on holidays. The Ivan Encalada Pottery Workshop is the heritage of a pottery tradition that is located in the district of La Convención del 45, a typical place in Cuenca (Ecuador) for its craftsmen dedicated to pottery. The tradition was started in 1962 by his father José Encalada, when he opened the business that has always been located in Mariscal Lamar Street, in the family's house. José started his pottery apprenticeship in 1948. His teachers were Juan Arias and Miguel Pacheco. He needed to learn a trade to make a living. His son Ivan has become, over the years, his best student and assistant. The Encalada family home is also a centre for displaying the products and works of Ivan and Jose, utilitarian objects such as jugs, glasses, plates and pots or pieces of undeniable artistic value. It is also a museum-workshop to observe first-hand the work of the master potters on a standing lathe or to learn the elaboration of ceramics by means of the ancestral "black" technique, of millenary Cañari (a pre-Inca culture) roots. For José Encalada, the support of all his family has been important for the maintenance of the workshop. His wife Yolanda Arias and his daughters and sons have taken part in this project. Father and son are constantly concerned about the fate of the trade. That is why they have thought it convenient to teach the public the process of producing a ceramic object. On the other hand, they have had the initiative and have participated in organizational processes and in the aggregation of the potters of the neighborhood, with the foundation of the Guild of Potters and Ceramists, with the objective that this activity is not lost. Another space that gives identity to the sector is the Casa del Alfarero, managed by the Municipality of Cuenca as a Cultural Center and a place for community meetings and the people of the neighborhood. The neighborhood of The Convention of '45 was created during the course of the 19th century, as an artisan's neighborhood. It was one of the multiple dismemberments of San Sebastian, one of the 3 great parishes that Cuenca had after its foundation, besides El Sagrario and San Blas.

3.71 Km.

Typical Food at San Roque Neighborhood

San Roque, parish of Sucre. Special Area of the World Cultural Heritage of Cuenca. Neighborhood opposite El Vado. It is located on the right bank of the Tomebamba River. Old southern entrance to the city, along Loja Avenue and the ascent of the Barranco. The most important structures of San Roque are its church, dedicated to the devotion to the patron saint and the Virgin of Guadalupe, its square with the monument to General Antonio José de Sucre and the campus of the University of Cuenca. The image of the saint arrived in the 17th century brought by a priest. It was lost and reappeared in the 19th century. Thus the place acquired the name of the miraculous icon. On the bohemian side of this neighborhood, it is known by the name of San Draque. Draque is an alcoholic drink that reminds us of the pirate Drake. In the past, there were cantinas in San Roque. In the basement of their houses, drink smugglers hid the product from the authorities. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was a place full of quintas. Its nature, landscapes and proximity to the river were sources of romantic inspiration for musicians and poets. In Roberto Crespo Ordóñez's country house, the Lyre Festival was created in 1919. It is the setting for popular legends such as "The Headless Priest", "The Widow of the Lantern" and life stories such as that of the character "Paco Bermeo". Gastronomy adds another attraction to the neighbourhood. There are workshops for making Corpus Christi sweets, which are in great demand abroad, as well as cafeterias, barbecues, fast food, vegetarian and Manabitan food. There are 36 places in San Roque and Loja Avenue for traditional and typical food. There is a very special spot on Loja Avenue and Galapagos. There are at least 5 places where you can have and eat snacks among friends: coffee or chocolate with humitas or tamales, bolón de verde and empanada de verde. The most popular is called Aroma de Café.

4.57 Km.

Metal Embossing Workshop by Carlos Bustos

The Carlos Bustos Embossing Workshop is located in the urban parish of San Sebastian, just a few steps from the main square of the main historical sector of the city of Cuenca (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In this section of Coronel Tálbot Street it seems that time has stopped. Low houses, made of adobe (a clay-based building material), many of which remind us of the city of yesteryear. In this workshop, with the craft technique of embossing, they work on sheets of different types of soft metals, leather or other ductile raw materials, in order to achieve reproductions of images in relief. Carlos Bustos comes from a family of tinsmith artisans. His father and brother were dedicated to this trade. But he, 40 years ago, decided to go his own way. He was a student of the artist Edgar Carrasco, from whom he learned the basics of art and working with metals. When he gained experience, he decided to open his own workshop. The work begins with drawing what he wants to do. Then with his hands and a lot of care, he uses simple tools to do his job, such as screwdrivers transformed into profilers, hammers, brushes, rollers. An embosser resorts to the technique of the "negative", by means of which, with the forms drawn backwards of the plate of chosen material, that settles on a soft surface and little by little, by means of a progressive deformation of the worked surface, the relief is obtained. Finally, he turns the piece over and outlines the details to define the shapes. Bustos is a tireless creator and owner of infinite patience. In his workshop the most varied objects are exhibited, well decorated: crosses, paintings, masks, lamps, lanterns, candlesticks, animal figures, mirror frames, among others. His favorite materials, because of their low cost, are aluminum, brass and tin. The prices of his embossings vary according to the time it took him to make them and their size. The visitor can ask for a test of skill in this place: to make his own embossing. If you are in a hurry to visit Cuenca, you might miss this charming place. Attention to detail is necessary, as the workshop is small and can go unnoticed between the Museum of Modern Art and the staircase leading down to the Plaza del Otorongo.

4.62 Km.

Modern Art Municipal Museum (MMAM)

The Municipal Museum of Modern Art (MMAM), has a prestigious and solid cultural background. It is located in the Historical Center of Cuenca (Ecuador), a UNESCO World Heritage city. The Museum temporarily exhibits modern art works by contemporary national and foreign artists. The rooms of the Museum are permanent headquarters of the International Art Biennial. Its reserve holds a large pictorial collection, which has been growing for 40 years. In addition, the Museum runs a program of activities and dissemination of art, dedicated to children, youth and older adults. The Museum was inaugurated on August 1, 1981. It was Hernán Crespo's initiative to recover the house from its destruction and restore it. The history of its use over the years is curious. Bishop Miguel León ordered its construction in the 19th century, as a refuge for alcoholics or "Casa de la Temperancia” (House of Temperance). It later served as a men's prison, nursing home, children's home, work school, and health center. The architecture of the building is old, with institutional purposes. Its doorway is in the neo-Gothic style. The interior is organized around an old chapel, in the center of the Museum. Around it there are several courtyards with portals. The chapel has a mural painting by Nicolás Vivar where a large painting with the parable of the prodigal son stands out. The First International Painting Biennial of Cuenca was inaugurated in 1987 in the Museum of Modern Art. It was conducted by Eudoxia Estrella, the first director of the MMAM. The Museum has an Art Reserve. It offers the service of workshops. The Information Office displays a collection of posters of the exhibitions held and the library specializes in art.

4.62 Km.