Ecuador travel
Tourist attractions in Ecuador
Explore the tourist attractions of Ecuador.
Building of the Mayor's Office
Interest : Culture Type : Historic House Friendly to : children, families, seniors, handicapped, pets Relevant categories : Cuenca's Historic District World Cultural Site by UNESCO - Within Cajas Massif Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO - Cultural National Heritage by the Ecuadorian Government Hours : Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00, Saturdays 09:00 - 13:00 The building of the Mayor's Office of Cuenca belongs to the select group of patrimonial constructions that are the pride of the inhabitants of the city. Luis Donoso Barba built it for the headquarters of the Banco del Azuay, an entity that operated there from May 24, 1929 until its liquidation in 1999. Due to the façade of this building, in addition to the façades of the Superior Court of Justice, the New Cathedral and other houses in the historical center, the city is known as the "city of marble". In 2002, the Municipality of Cuenca received the building as a donation. It has an area of 2,500 m2. The ground floor is occupied by a gallery for artistic exhibitions. On the second floor there are the offices of the mayor, vice-mayor, the alternate room for the councillors, the secretary, the trade union and the financial management. The neoclassical-style building, without an internal courtyard, has spacious halls connecting various rooms. On the second floor, the brass ceiling stands out. It is undoubtedly one of the best examples of the French influence on Cuenca's architecture in the early 20th century. Its architect fulfilled the intention of its owners: to reflect greatness, luxury and economic power. The now disappeared Banco del Azuay was the first in Cuenca. Founded in 1913, in 1914 it became a pioneering entity when it printed the first Ecuadorian 1, 2, 5, 10 sucres banknotes.
308.14 Km.
Former Palace of Justice in Cuenca
The facade of the "Palacio de Justicia" (the Palace of Justice or Courthouse) in the city of Cuenca occupies one of the corners of the Calderon Park or Central Park. It is an emblematic building. Along with the New Cathedral, the City Hall and a group of houses in the Historical Center, they have made "the city of marble" another name well earned by Cuenca. In addition, this building is part of the area declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The symbolic meaning of the structure of the Courthouse is important in the urban area, because it was built between 1914 and 1925 as the headquarters of the University of Cuenca. So, for a long time, the building’s main function was to generate knowledge, education and culture. Today its lobby is used for cultural and social events, with main access to the Sucre Theater. Although its architectural style is neoclassical, the materials used to build it are of diverse origin, an eclectic combination of Sayausí marble, bricks produced at El Tejar, polychrome brass for the ceilings imported from France, and colored glass brought from Belgium. The humanist Octavio Cordero Palacios was appointed by the University Board as director of the work, based on the designs of the Quito architect Francisco Espinoza. Around 1950 and after 25 years of operation, the property was sold to the Ecuadorian state. The State assigned it to the Judicial Function, and it was named "Palace of Justice". It houses the Provincial Court of Justice of Azuay. The marble, the dome, the cornices, the giant columns, the heraldic shields, make its facade very striking. That is why it is one of the most photographed buildings in the Historical Center of Cuenca, a World Heritage Site.
308.15 Km.
Casa de la Mujer (Woman's House) craft center
The Centro Municipal Artesanal (CEMUART)-Casa de la Mujer, promotes the fair commercialization of Cuenca's artisan products, since 1998. CEMUART is located in an old patrimonial house, in front of San Francisco Square, in the Historical Center. Inside, there are more than a hundred commercial premises with all kinds of handicrafts. Tourists can find almost the entire range of souvenirs to take home to family and friends. Toquilla straw hats, silver and gold filigree jewelry, textiles, wood carvings, ceramics, basketry, tagua, Andean musical instruments, glass, leather objects such as belts, bags and wallets, etc. A special place to find a gift, all under the same roof. The name Casa de la Mujer has its origin in the need to emphasize the important role of women in the artisan trades and their ability to perform them as a life option and to maintain their homes. Although the site is very well located and easily accessible, organized craftsmen and women take advantage of holidays and important dates in the city to hold outdoor fairs in much more central locations such as the block of the Cathedral, Sucre Street and Benigno Malo. CEMUART is an encounter with design, color, variety and cultural influence from all over the world. Its craftsmen and women are duly qualified. The cultural richness of Cuenca exhibited in these small stands puts something for all tastes within reach. The interior courtyard and its premises are covered. Buying handicrafts has this comfort even on rainy days. A nice feature is the dialogue that the visitor can initiate with the artisans, while watching their work and products. When people visit Cuenca, they want to know where they can find a souvenir. Bring a little culture. If there is no time to shop, you should go to the Casa de la Mujer. It's an option that could save a long walk around the city.
308.17 Km.
Cuenca's Flowers Market
Buying flowers was never as beautiful as in “Plaza de las Flores” or Cuenca's Flowers Market, World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in Ecuador. It is one of the most emblematic and outstanding urban spaces of the Historic Center of that Andean city. The market is a free space for pedestrians and it is surrounded by important buildings, such as the Church of Carmen, where the Divine Traveler Child (Divino Niño Viajero) is venerated, the Convent (cloister) of Carmen and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. But the real standout attraction in the Plaza is its flowers market, which makes it a charming place. In 2014, the uniqueness of the market placed it in the Top 10 of the most beautiful outdoor flowers markets in the world, denomination granted by the international magazine National Geographic. The offer that can be find here is diverse, but mostly you will find roses, orchids or lilies. There is a dozen of tents that stand out by the explosion of the colors, the variety of flowers and aromas and the kindness of its merchants. Other destinations with which the Flowers Market of Cuenca can be compared are: Marché Aux Fleur (France); the Bloemenmarkt (Netherlands); Campo Dei Fiore (Italy); The Adderley Street Flower Market (South Africa); the Phool Mandi (India); and Pak Khlong Talat (Thailand). The Carmen Church, which is part of the architectural complex of the Monastery of Carmen de la Asunción, next to the Plaza, is one of the majestic religious structures of Cuenca. It has a stone carved facade, which constitutes a magnificent example of Baroque art in the city, and inside it has a renaissance-style wooden structure, in which you can see interesting sculptures. The nuns of the cloister of the Carmen prepare medicinal drinks with flowers that are sold to the population in the stores that are next to the Market.
308.19 Km.
San Francisco Square, Market & Church
San Francisco Square is located in the Historical Center of Cuenca and contains three spaces of very dynamic social relations: The Square, the Church, and the Little Square. The Plaza of San Francisco is important for the history of Cuenca, since 1558, one year after the Foundation, Gil Ramírez Dávalos destined this site as a public space for the exchange and sale of agricultural products or "Plaza de la Feria". Therefore, the use given to this Plaza was never changed over the centuries. For 60 years, stalls selling all kinds of clothing have been located here. The artisans of Otavalo are very popular in San Francisco. They come from an aboriginal ethnic group from the province of Imbabura in the north of Ecuador. They for sale in the portals products such as ponchos, scarves, hats and shawls, articles woven with alpaca or llama wool. It is a unique place, full of color and interculturality, where it is possible to resort to an ancient custom, the "bargaining". The current commercial use is mainly for non-perishable products: clothes, shoes, household items, etc. In 2019 the Square was reopened, after undergoing modernization works, with the expansion of public space and the relocation of the stalls of 120 vendors in the side areas. A water fountain, new lighting, street furniture and obstacles to the view were removed in order to improve security. Visitors to the Plaza San Francisco can now move around more comfortably for cultural, religious or craft tourism. The Pasaje León, the Casa de la Mujer and the Centro Municipal Artesanal (CEMUART) were integrated into the Plaza. Next to the Square, the neoclassical San Francisco Church was completed in 1789. During the 20th century and the first years of the 21st century the chruch underwent several readjustments and remodeling. It was the seat of the Franciscan religious community until the 19th century, hence the origin of its name. Its most valuable asset is the high altar covered in gold leaf and important works of religious art. The Plazoleta (a piazza), which is integrated as a single complex to the church, is currently used for public performances, social and cultural events in the city.
308.19 Km.
Coffee Tasting at Tierra Diabla
Tierra Diabla. Exciting name for a small coffee shop in El Vado. It is part of the cultural scene in the neighborhood. The atmosphere around it is very special. A few meters from La Cruz, in front of the square and viewpoint. The landscapes and sunsets are unforgettable. You can enjoy them while having a cup of coffee and a dessert. The menu of Tierra Diabla is intimately linked to the Ecuadorian coffee culture. To the tradition of making coffee in the style of the grandmother. Rich and bitter house coffee. It is the connection with memories and emotions. The main ingredient is fresh Arabica coffee beans from the highlands, grown in Santa Isabel, in the south of the province of Azuay. Roasted and ground. The cafecito is also a center of culture, art gallery, design and applied art store. With its tables extended towards the plaza, there is space to listen to good music. The International Coffee Day is celebrated here every October 1st. In November it serves purple colada and bread guaguas. To accompany the coffee, nothing better than a 100% cocoa brownie. That's not all. Nonna" Diabla's suggestions include carrot and pineapple pies, cookies from her own recipe book, eggplants and baked tomatoes with cheese. Sicilian bread, fogaccio, sandwiches, doughnuts, lemonade or Mama Huma... the perfect place to clear your mind, clear your head, wake up your taste buds with something out of the ordinary. It offers the service of selling coffee in bulk, by the pound. Ana Benavides is the barista, guide of Tierra Diabla, a professional in high quality Ecuadorian coffee. She creates new and different drinks based on it, using milk, essences and liquors. She knows the art of latte or coffee with milk, with designs on its surface. Cuenca is no exception within the world-wide current of specialty coffee. Local baristas like Ana, with their talent and the use of the national product, have become the alternative to international chains. Tierra Diabla puts its share of effort into positioning national coffee. Ecuador cultivates 2 species of coffee plants: Arabica and Robusta. The crops are grown throughout the territory, even in Galapagos. There are coffee plantations in 20 of the 24 provinces of the country.
308.29 Km.
El Vado Traditional Neighborhood
The inhabitants of this traditional neighborhood in Cuenca consider the place as a cultural relic, because it preserves many characteristics of the city of the past and is a source of inspiration for craftsmen and artists, due to the presence of the Tomebamba River Ravine, the typical climb and the Cross. The culture and memory of Cuenca are still alive in El Vado, aspects that can only be experienced when walking along its paths and entering its houses, to share with the people. The neighborhood is full of characters. El Vado is so named because it was and still is one of the most important access points to the Historic Center of Cuenca from the south, crossing the unpredictable Tomebamba River. The buildings in the sector preserve colonial and republican styles, which are complemented by its cobblestone streets. The "Casa de la Lira", birthplace of the musician José María Rodríguez, is famous. The main street is called La Condamine in homage to one of the scientists of the French Geodesic Mission of the 18th century. The hanging houses of the Ravine are also admired. The history of the site goes back to the first years of the Spanish colonization, when the conquerors were looking for a visible place to place the christian cross. The main activities that take place in El Vado are crafts and art. Among the craftsmen, there are master luthiers or instrument makers, tinsmiths, forge workers, saddlers, hairdressers, barbers, embroiderers, pyrotechnic, hat makers or bakers. An intense artistic activity revolves around the El Prohibido Cultural Center, which contains a museum of extreme art, a meeting place for cultural managers and actors of the city or for the activity of bohemian groups. Within the framework of the local culture, El Vado’s festivals are renowned and mentioned in poems and popular songs, such as "Por eso te quiero Cuenca" to the rhythm of "capizhca", as well as its athletic competitions in the month of May.
308.29 Km.
Las Conceptas Cloister & Museum
The Museum of the Concepts of Cuenca permanently exhibits an outstanding collection of religious art. It has been in operation since 1986 in the southeast wing of the cloister of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, on the corner of Calle Hermano Miguel and Calle Juan Jaramillo. Its collection consists of 470 items, mainly paintings and sculptures, clothing, ornaments, furniture, chests, trunks and cabinets. Porcelain, ceramics, glass, opaline, miniatures and toys. The Museum's collections are part of the heritage that the nuns contributed over four centuries to the convent. The Museum has spaces for workshops and public events. It offers guide services and refreshments to visiting groups by reservation. Founded on November 3, 1986. It has 24 exhibition rooms, an auditorium that used to be a cemetery and a beautiful garden. The largest house in Cuenca in 1599 belonged to Doña Leonor Ordóñez. That house in the center of the city, between Presidente Cordova, Borrero, Juan Jaramillo and Hermano Miguel streets, was donated to the cloister convent of the Concepts. The daughters of Ordóñez, Jerónima, Leonor and Ángela were the first to enter the congregation. For 400 years the nuns have been doing embroidery, as a way of making a living. Today they continue to make banners, tablecloths, church vestments, dresses for images and liturgical vestments. In the convent there is one of the first bakeries in Cuenca, with wood-burning ovens. This activity is related to the "barrio de las panaderías" or Todos Santos, a place of much culture. The nuns continue the tradition of making "dulces de corpus". The monastery has the church with its typical belfry; main and secondary cloisters with porticoed corridors and transit passages or "chiflones" at the corners; spaces for praying the psalm and eating; the Chapter House, currently the convent's archive; novitiate cells, service areas and vegetable garden. The church itself is a work of art, with an important cultural heritage.
308.33 Km.
10 de Agosto Market
Interest : Culture Type: Food and Supply Market Class : Urban Friendly with: children, families, seniors 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 07:00 - 18:00. The Historic Center of the city of Cuenca has three popular markets: August 10, October 9 and November 3, which curiously represent the three main dates of the Ecuadorian Independence process. Of these, the Mercado 10 de Agosto is the most central; a total mix of people, smells, colors and tastes. Visiting it may seem like a bizarre experience, but soon after being on the site this feeling disappears and despite its modernist structure, inside it preserves the characteristics of a popular Andean market intact. It was inaugurated on November 3, 1954. Years ago they remodeled it, placing two escalators to access the second floor, the food court. And on its façade, local artists painted three enormous murals in which they represented the symbols of Cuencanity: The Cathedral, the Plaza de los Flores, the Chola Cuencana and the Barranco. Tourists are surprised to find escalators in such a popular place. It has become a gastronomic custom for visitors to go to the food stalls on the upper floor, due to their cheap prices and because there they can consume a variety of traditional and typical dishes of Cuencan and Ecuadorian food: pork hornado, potatoes with leather or "crazy potatoes", corn or "mote" in its different preparations, potato tortilla or "llapingacho", lunches, smoothies and much more. The 10 de Agosto Market is also famous for its section of medicinal plants where it is possible to access an ancient healing method known as "clean", a process that has been inherited from generation to generation of herbalists and herbalists, vendors who know the properties plant healing. Vegetables, meats, handicrafts, fruits, sweets, all kinds of supplies and above all the spontaneous affection of people for foreigners, are part of this small world. Source: Fundación Municipal Turismo para Cuenca
308.33 Km.
El Prohibido Cultural Center
The Forbidden Cultural Center leaves no one indifferent. It breaks schemes, it cannot be pigeonholed. Located in La Condamine Street, up from El Vado. Since 1996 the place is a reference of the cultural activity in the city of Cuenca. The Moscoso-Íñiguez family is the manager. Martha and Eduardo, with the support of their children, turned their home into an unusual, mysterious and at the same time attractive space. All the alternative cultural manifestations have a space here, from the diverse artistic genres like music, theater, painting, sculpture, cinema, video art, among others. It develops a special agenda for presentations of contemporary rock bands, showing on stage mainly new groups. Dozens of new artists, for example in theatre, have made their debut there. The Museum of Extreme Art of El Prohibido exhibits the artistic creations of Eduardo Moscoso, who makes incursions into the erotic, vitalist, thanatological, exotic, anti-religious and narcissistic styles of the neo-gothic movement and the neo-baroque movement. This is definitely a space in which, with each visit, the observer finds new and surprising details. It is an excellent place to have a cold or hot drink, to taste a good coffee or to have a snack. It has a room for artistic presentations of all genres. After a quarter of a century of opening its doors, El Prohibido continues to give space to the artistic development of the urban cultures of Cuenca and the new generations of local and national artists. It has also been an important actor in the cultural and social development of El Vado. It manages and carries out various open-air activities, promoting the use of public space in the neighbourhood and the city, with the organisation of craftsmen, artists and entrepreneurs.
308.34 Km.
Tramway of Cuenca
Ecuador's first modern streetcar began operating in Cuenca. It connects the old Control Sur with the Industrial Park in the north. At its maximum capacity it can carry an estimated 120,000 passengers each day. During the trip, the urban train crosses the Historical Center of Cuenca, a World Heritage Site. This is its main attraction, since its panoramic windows allow passengers to observe, with total clarity, the architectural heritage of the city along 4 km. It is a first class tourist experience through Gran Colombia Street up and Mariscal Lamar Street down. In order to combat environmental pollution, vehicle congestion, noise and its associated nuisances, several municipal administrations made the political and planning decision to begin, continue and conclude tramway construction. The technical data of the work are: 27 stations, 20.4 km of round trip, track gauge of 143.5 cm, 22 to 25 km per hour of average speed. It takes 35 minutes to cover 10.7 km, from the first station in the south to the last station in the north. During peak hours, a tram passes every 6 minutes. A special roadway was built to protect the Historical Centre from vibrations and the energy is transmitted by a third underground rail. Today, thousands of reasons abound to justify the operation of a city train. The main ones highlight the use of advanced technologies, which make it an accessible, silent, fast, comfortable and environmentally friendly means of transport. Being a public company, it is also an alternative to transport in the hands of private monopolies. In Ecuador during the first half of the 20th century, similar experiences of public transport were implemented in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil. But the development of more modern infrastructure and the massive use of buses ended up bankrupting them. They stopped working around 1950.
308.39 Km.
Blacksmith's & Traditional Food District
Interest : Culture Type: Historic Neighborhood Friendly to: children, families, seniors, handicapped, pets Relevant categories: Cuenca's Historic District World Cultural Site by UNESCO - Within Cajas Massif Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO - Cultural National Heritage by the Ecuadorian Government Hours: Open all days 09:00 - 20:00 Las Herrerías. Special area of the World Cultural Heritage of Cuenca. Historically this street was part of the Qhapaq Ñan, later renamed Camino Real during the colonial period. According to the testimony of the German sage Humboldt, who walked the small street at the beginning of the 19th century, the vestiges of the famous Inca road between Ingachaca and Chaguarchimbana could be seen. It was one of the roads leading to the south. It passed through San Juan del Valle towards Loja and Peru. The other was the Loja Avenue. These two spaces concentrated the activities of blacksmithing and forging. The location of the blacksmith's trade concluded by giving it the name. In 1974 it was renamed Las Herrerías. Its previous name was Antonio Valdivieso. Part of its urban landscape are the old houses, most of them single-storey, the Casa de Chaguarchimbana and the Plaza del Herrero. The "blacksmiths" are the characteristic of the sector. The tradition of Las Herrerías was founded on the work of iron or metalworking. Individuals and families have dedicated themselves to this craft for several generations. The activity of blacksmithing disappeared and the craftsmen now make decorative objects for homes: ridge crosses, doors, grilles, locks, horseshoes, hinges, chisels, hoes, lamps, bars. The limit is creativity. Initially a man's trade, now the women keep it. Necessity obliges. The same families that were dedicated to blacksmithing, have turned their business around, opening food stores along the way, with a lot of tradition. 15 women have different options for a good breakfast, a mid-morning snack or for the reunion with friends and family in the evening. Mainly humitas or chumales, tamales, quimbolitos (all wrapped in a corn base), empanadas, tigrillos and bolones de verde with chicharon or cheese, corn and yucca tortillas, coffee, chocolate, melcocha, and ice cream. La Herrerías, another point in Cuenca that invites you to connect with the past, the calm and peaceful life of an Andean town. Source: Fundación Municipal Turismo para Cuenca
308.40 Km.
We have 413 tourist attractions listed in Ecuador.