Sightseeing in Cuenca Town - what to see. Complete travel guide
In Spain, tourists can visit the charming city of Cuenca that attracts tourists with an unusual peculiarity that makes this settlement truly unique. The historical part of the city and all houses within this area have an interesting location. When looking at buildings in Cuenca, it feels like they are growing directly from rocks and are floating above a deep canyon. Tourists are often worried that the buildings can fall down at any moment but this doesn’t happen. Local people use special building techniques that make houses in Cuenca strong and durable. The city is not big. It is easy to see all of its major landmarks during a stroll.
The first settlement in the area between the Jucar and Huecar rivers appeared yet during the pre-Roman times. Ancient Romans liked the beneficial location of this area that gave them a strategic advantage, and so they built a garrison here. Arabs conquered the region at the beginning of the 8th century. They called the area Kuvenka. Cattle breeding, weaving, and wool production started developing in the region. Residents of Cordoba introduced the art of crafting from ivory to the people of Kuvenka. These occupations remained the main sources of income for the town for ten centuries. The town was growing, and many beautiful mansions, churches, and schools appeared in it.
Start your acquaintance with the main sights of Cuenca with a visit to a fabulous historic landmark – the Castle of Belmonte. The gorgeous castle is located in Belmonte, a village not far from Cuenca. Don Juan Pacheco, first Marquis de Villena, ordered to build the fabulous building. The castle has retained its original look until modern times. The construction of the castle started in the 50s of the 15th century. King Henry IV of Castile was hiding his daughter, Joanna la Beltraneja, in this castle as there were gossips about the legitimacy of the child. Juan Pacheco didn’t finish the castle. When he died, the Castle of Belmonte remained unfinished.
The Castle of Belmonte was practically in ruins in the 19th century, but the Empress Eugenia de Montijo decided to restore the building and bring it to its former glory. The castle became available for the public in 2010, so everyone can visit it now. There is a museum inside the building that exhibits the original furniture and decorations preserved for centuries.
Did you enjoy a walk in the halls of the Castle of Belmonte? In this case, visit one more gorgeous castle situated in this region – the Castle of Alarcon. This is no less beautiful and old building. Water surrounds the castle from three sides. According to local legends, the first fortress of the site of the castle appeared yet during the reign of Alaric II, the King of the Visigoths. Nowadays, the marvelous castle is open to the general public. Don’t forget to get to the top of the castle in order to see a fantastic view of the area.
It is possible to see all the surrounding buildings outside the walls of the Castle of Alarcon. The castle was well-protected from invaders because it is built on a hill above the gorge. In the past, it was virtually impossible to conquer such a fortress. Nowadays, numerous tourists visit Alarcon. Moreover, this is a popular hotel, and tourists can book a room in it.
It would be a mistake not to mention Ciudad Encantada or the Enchanted City. This spectacular natural landmark definitely deserves a visit. The Enchanted City is located in the mountains near Cuenca. Beautiful pine forests surround the area. For centuries, winds, water, and carbon dioxide caused erosion of soft sedimentary formations. They formed stone statues with shapes similar to animals, household items, etc. There is even a stone that looks like a human face.
The Enchanted City has one more attraction – a stone labyrinth. It takes much time to get out of it, but, nevertheless, many visitors enjoy walking in it and trying to find the way out. The Stone Sea is one more prominent attraction of the site. The park has many fantastic stone sculptures that were also created by nature. There are fourteen sculptures in total, and each of them has its own name.
Having arrived in Madrid, tourists can get to Cuenca by train. The journey lasts roughly two and a half hours. It is also possible to get to Cuenca from Valencia. The ride will be three and a half hours in this case. Finally, there are buses that connect Cuenca and Madrid. The time spent on the bus will be just the same as the train ride.
This guide to iconic landmarks and sights of Cuenca Town is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Cuenca Town and surroundings
Reference information
Map of all castles
Survived castles around Cuenca Town
♥ Castle 'Tower Mangana' , 1.1 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of La Hinojosa' , 47.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Alarcón' Cuenca, 58.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Uclés' , 62.6 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Puebla de Almenara' , 67.6 km from the center. On the map
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Map of all parks
National and city parks around Cuenca Town
♥ Natural Park 'Serrania de Cuenca' , 30.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Natural Park 'Alto Tajo' , 69.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Natural Park 'Hoces del Cabriel' , 80.7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Natural Park 'Puebla de San Miguel' , 86.1 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Natural Park 'Chera-Sot de Chera' , 113 km from the center. On the map
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Sightseeing in Spain: things to see
Casa Mila, La Pedrera, which is located in Barcelona, might be the most famous architectural place of interest in the country. The name of the building can be literally translated as "the stone cave". The building was constructed according to the project of Gaudi and was controlled by the famous architect. It's worth mentioning that all works of Gaudi are distinguished by original and unusual design. According to initial project, Casa Mila La Pedrera was intended to be made solely from curvilinear elements and slanting partitions, but later the architect changed his original thoughts and built a unique house that has absolutely no load-bearing walls. This is the only building in the country, where even balconies have an important construction rather than decorative role.
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Search touristic sites on the map of Cuenca Town
All about Cuenca Town, Spain - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Cuenca Town, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Cuenca Town in few days.
