Cultural Atracctions Cuenca
El Barranco
The riverfront of the Tomebamba River is the most symbolic site of Cuenca, and serves as limit between the historical and the modern city.
The Classical Republican style of the facades of the constructions that surround the river give a special personality to the city. El Barranco is a residential area, as well as a cultural district. The Pumapungo Ruins, the Central Bank and Remigio Crespo Toral Museums, the "Todos los Santos" vestiges, and other sites along this riverside offer cultural and artistic exhibits.
Pumapungo Vestiges
Located at the left margin of the Barranco of the Tomebamba River. The Pumapungo ("Puma´s Door") neighborhood was the first development zone of the Inca city of Tumipamba. The architectural elements of the vestiges of this neighborhood show that it was mainly a religious, military, political and administrative center. The vestiges of Pumapungo include walls, channels, cobble stoned corridors, isolated enclosed areas, an enormous channel of 1.050 feet of length with some internal bathrooms, a mausoleum inside a tunnel, etc. All this surrounded by terraces that were used for agriculture. This archeological complex is complemented with gardens of native plants and a small display of birds of the region.
It is part of the Central Bank Museum, located on Huayna Capac Ave. across from Calle Larga.
The Ruins of Todos Los Santos
Follow the Todos Los Santos Street down the hill. This site has ruins of Cañari, Incas and colonial Spanish constructions. Here you will find the four Incas stonework niches.
Churches of Special Interest
The Sagrario Church (Old Cathedral)
Located at the corner of Mariscal Sucre and Luis Cordero Ave. It is one of the oldest churches in Latin America (1557). Inca blocks from the Pomango Palace were used in the construction. It has marble floors and a gold-leaf altar in its interior. The Geodesic Mission used this place as a reference point to calculate the Earth’s circumference.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (New Cathedral)
Located on the corner of Mariscal Sucre and Cuencagno Malo. This Cathedral’s construction began in 1880, and is one of the largest of America. The Cathedral is made of alabaster and marble. Its floor is made of pink marble imported from Carrara, Italy. Both Romance and Baroque are prominent in this architecture.
Church and Monastery of “El Carmen de Asunción”
They are located near the main square and to the right of the daily flower market. Both have been preserved in the original condition since the XVII century. A remarkable treasury of religious art pieces can be found here.
Todos Los Santos Church
It is located where the streets Calle Larga and Bajada de Todos Los Santos meet. This is one of the oldest churches in Cuenca. It is also where the first Catholic mass was celebrated after the Spaniards arrived. The statue of Santa Ana, patron saint of the city, is found here. During the end of the XIX century the church that is currently found there replaced it.
Church and Monastery of The Conceptas
They are located on the corner of Presidente Cordova and Presidente Borrero Streets. The entrance of the church contains 17th century tombstones. The monastery was constructed in the 16th century and later became a museum of religious art.
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