Patrimoine de l'Humanité.
by breughel
Cuenca est une ville d'importance moyenne avec près de 50.000 habitants, capitale de la province du même nom. Si la partie moderne présente peu d'intérêt pour le touriste, la partie ancienne située sur une plate forme rocheuse entourée au sud et à l'est par la courbe de la rivière Huecar et à l'ouest par la rivière Jucar mérite amplement sa classification au patrimoine de l'humanité. La manque d'espace explique la hauteur des maisons et l'étroitesse des rues dans la Ciudad Antigua. Cuenca remonte à l'empire romain. Elle se développa sous les musulmans qui y construisirent une forteresse qui prit le nom de Conca. Elle fut conquise en 1177 par Alfonso VIII. Dans les siècles qui suivirent elle connut un important développement économique notamment dans l'industrie textile. Celle-ci déclina au XVII siècle entraînant une décadence de la ville.
Cuenca est la porte d'entré de la région montagneuse de la "Serrania de Cuenca". La ville nouvelle se trouve au niveau de 900 m et la ville ancienne à environ 1.000 m. Cette hauteur a une influence sur la température: maximum 15°C la nuit en plein été, max. 30 °C le jour. Donc, températures agréables comparé à Madrid.
Churches to get tired of
by DanielF
Like all the historical Spanish cities and towns, Cuenca has a real wealth of churches. Some of them are very simple, unsignificant even, but not less picturesque, of course. They come in virtually all the construction styles from Gothic to Historicist, but always with that unmistakable Castilian flair.
This is a picture of a tiny church in the extramuri part of the city, next to an small creek.
Views from the Ronda del Jucar.
by breughel
The walk on the Ronda del Jucar, at the western limit of the old town, offers beautiful views on the Jucar river and the cliffs of the gorge.
From the Hermitage de las Angustias it is worthwhile to follow a path on the left overlooking the ravine. That path about 200 m long, although getting narrower, leads to a number of stairs climbing up to the Castillo and entrance of the town. Views on the bend in the river and on some parts of the old walls.
Arcas church
by Aitana
Arcas is a small village, just ten minutes from Cuenca, southwards (take road N 320)
The Church is the most beautiful and well preserved Romanesque church in the province, built in the XIII century. In the façade the highlight is the main door with its pointed arches. At the head of the church, laterally, is the distinctive bell tower.
In the interior, a wooden paneling is preserved.
The church has been restored. Since then, it has been a traditional venue for concerts during the Cuenca Religious Music Week.
Torre de Mangana.
by breughel
It is believed that the tower of the Arab fortress "Alcazar" was located here defending the locality in two key accesses; the bridge of the Trinidad and the Door of San Juan.
It is possible that there was a catapult on the tower.
After the conquest by the Christian army, the Muslims who remained in Cuenca were assembled in this part "barrio de Mangana".
The present tower with the city clock was built in the 16th c. The exterior aspect results from an important restoration in 1968.
Strange enough, although the Torre de Mangana is considered as an "auténtico símbolo" of the town, the surroundings need a serious refurbishment.
Cuenca - Spain
Cuenca - Spain
Jesus Nazarene
Mangana tower seen from La Merced square
