Cuenca, officially named Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, is a city in Ecuador. It is the capital of Azuay province and the largest city in the canton of the same name. The city is located in the south-central part of Ecuador, between the Andes Mountains, in the Paute river basin. It lies at an altitude of 2,538 meters above sea level and has a temperate climate with an average temperature of 16.3°C. The Tomebamba, Tarqui, Yanuncay, and Machángara rivers flow through the city.

Cuenca is known locally as "Cuenca of the Andes" or "Athens of Ecuador" because of its beautiful architecture, rich culture, and contributions to Ecuadorian art, science, and literature. It is also the birthplace of many important Ecuadorian people. In 2022, the city had a population of 596,101 people, making it the third-largest city in Ecuador after Guayaquil and Quito. Cuenca is the center of the Cuenca metropolitan area, which includes nearby towns and villages. This group of cities is also the third-largest urban area in Ecuador.

The city was founded on April 12, 1557, on the ruins of the Inca city of Tomebamba and the Cañari city of Guapondelig. It was established by Gil Ramírez Dávalos, who followed orders from the viceroy of Peru, Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza. During the 20th century, Cuenca grew and became a hub for education and culture. In 1999, its historic center was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Cuenca is a major center for government, business, and trade in Ecuador. Its main industries include commerce and manufacturing, and in recent years, it has also become a popular destination for international tourists.

Toponymy

The city is named Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca to honor the city of Cuenca in Spain, which is where the Spanish viceroy of Peru, Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza, was born. He ordered the Spanish official Gil Ramírez Dávalos to found the city because the area’s land features resemble those of the Spanish city of Cuenca. At the time, Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza also served as the High Guard of the European city of Cuenca, and this role was a gift given to him by the conquistador. The name "de los Ríos" refers to the rivers that flow through the area: Tomebamba, Tarqui, Yanuncay, and Machángara. The rest of the city’s name follows a Spanish tradition of naming new cities after a saint from the Catholic Church, in this case, Saint Anne.

History

“The plateau is a place that many powerful groups have valued,” says Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. “The Cañari, then the Inca, and later the Spanish controlled the region over the past two thousand years, each giving it a name in their own language. Today, the capital city is called Cuenca, and the province is named Azuay.”

Studies and archaeological findings show that the first people in the area lived in the Cave of Chopsi around 8060 BC. These early people were hunters who followed animals and seasons, and they moved from place to place. Their culture is shown by tools like arrows and spears, which have been found across the Andean valley. This culture was most common around 5585 BC.

Later, early indigenous people used the area’s steady climate, rich soil, and plenty of water to grow crops. They planted potatoes, melloco, chocho, squash, and quinoa. They also raised animals like cuys (guinea pigs) and camelids, such as llamas and alpacas.

Their technology was advanced. For example, they began making ceramics. In fact, ceramics are the most common items that archaeologists study to learn about their culture. The time between 5000 BCE and 2000 BCE has few records in the archaeological evidence. Around 2000 BCE, people created a more organized society, with roles like managing water and controlling disease. People had jobs as leaders and religious figures (called shamans). This happened during the periods of Chaullabamba, Huayco, Pirincay, Monjas, Putushio, Huancarcucho, and Jubones. From then until 500 AD, the periods of Tacalshapa III and the Cañari people began. The Cañari were later absorbed into the Inca Empire in the 15th century.

Cuenca was originally a Cañari settlement called Guapondeleg. Archaeologists believe Cuenca was founded around 500 AD. Guapondeleg means “land as big as heaven.” Less than fifty years before Spanish explorers arrived, the Inca Empire conquered the Cañari after a difficult battle. The Inca took over Guapondeleg and the surrounding area. Though the Inca changed the Cañari buildings to match their own style, they did not erase the Cañari or their achievements in farming and astronomy. As was common for the Inca, they adopted useful ideas into their culture. They renamed the city Tomebamba. The city became known as the second Cusco, a regional capital.

After the Cañari were defeated, likely in the 1470s, the Inca emperor Tupac Yupanqui ordered the construction of a grand city called Pumapungo, which means “the door of the Puma.” Its beauty was said to be as impressive as the Inca capital of Cuzco. Native people told Spanish writers about golden temples and other wonders, but when the Spanish arrived, only ruins remained. They wondered what had happened to the city’s famous wealth and beauty. After the Cañari and then the Inca left, Tomebamba had few people until the 1550s.

Tomebamba is thought to be the same as the mythical city of gold that the Spanish called El Dorado. The Spanish believed El Dorado was destroyed by its people after hearing about Spanish conquests. The fact that Tomebamba was destroyed by its people before the Spanish arrived suggests it might have been the city the Spanish called El Dorado.

The Spanish settlement of Cuenca was founded on April 12, 1557, by the explorer Gil Ramírez Dávalos. Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza, the Viceroy of Peru, ordered the city to be named after his hometown of Cuenca, Spain. It was built many years after other Spanish cities in the region, such as Quito (1534), Guayaquil (1538), and Loja (1548). Cuenca’s population and importance grew steadily during the time when Spain ruled the area.

Cuenca reached its greatest importance in the early years of Ecuador’s independence. Cuenca became independent on November 3, 1820. It became the capital of one of the three provinces that formed the new republic. The other two capitals were Guayaquil and Quito.

Demographics

According to the 2015 INEC estimate, the population of Cuenca canton was 580,000 people, with 400,000 living in the city itself. Local sources suggest that between 4,000 and 6,000 people living in Cuenca are from other countries. The economy depends on industry and farming.

The Cuenca Metropolitan Area includes the cities of Azogues, Biblian, and Deleg in Cañar province, and Paute and Gualaceo in Azuay province, with a total population of 730,000 people. However, Cuenca’s impact on culture, economy, and education reaches all cities within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the city.

Economy

Cuenca is famous for making textiles, furniture, hats, and shoes. The straw hats known as Panama hats are made in Cuenca by local artisans. Cuenca used to send many flowers to the United States and Europe, but now it focuses on orchids because other cities started growing flowers. Although farming has decreased, it is still important, especially for vegetables and corn. Cattle ranching is also an important economic activity. Because Cuenca is in the Andes Mountains and near forests, mining and logging are local industries. Common resources mined include kaolin, plaster, limestone, sand, and carbon. Cuenca also has a strong industrial and commercial sector.

Tourism is growing in Cuenca because of its many churches and a well-preserved old town that are part of the city’s cultural heritage. Nearby, important national parks like Cajas National Park have been created.

At the start of the 20th century, the country changed its currency from sucre to USD, which affected the economy.

Geography

Cuenca is the capital of Azuay province in Ecuador. It is located in the Andes Mountains in the southern part of the country. The city is about 470 kilometers south of Quito and 200 kilometers southeast of Guayaquil. Cuenca is between 2,350 and 2,550 meters (7,710 to 8,370 feet) above sea level.

The city’s name comes from its geography. In Spanish, "Cuenca" means "a basin made by rivers coming together." Four rivers flow through the city: Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Tarqui, and Machangara. Tomebamba is the most important, followed by Yanuncay and Tarqui. These three rivers begin in El Cajas National Park, which is to the west of the city.

Cuenca Canton includes the following parishes:

• Baños
• Chaucha
• Checa (Jidcay)
• Chiquintad
• Cumbe
• Llacao
• Molleturo
• Nulti
• Octavio Cordero Palacios (Santa Rosa)
• Paccha
• Quingeo
• Ricaurte
• San Joaquín
• Santa Ana
• Sayausi
• Sidcay
• Sinincay
• Tarqui
• Turi
• Valle
• Victoria del Portete (Irquis)

Cuenca has a climate that is neither too hot nor too cold. Temperatures are warm during the day and cool at night, so people often wear sweaters or jackets. The average daily temperature is 14.7°C (58.5°F). There are two seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season usually lasts from June to December, while the rainy season occurs from January to May. The heaviest rains happen in March, April, and May, which is called the wet season in Spanish.

Education

The first university in the city, the Universidad de Cuenca, was created in 1867. It is the third oldest university in the country, following the Universidad Central del Ecuador (1836) and the Universidad Nacional de Loja (1859). Since then, the city has grown, and more universities were founded, offering new programs. This growth led to the National Assembly of Ecuador declaring Cuenca the "City of Universities" on January 4, 2011.

The city has these universities:

• Universidad de Cuenca (UCUENCA)
• Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS)
• Universidad del Azuay (UDA)
• Universidad Católica de Cuenca (UCACUE)

The first university is classified as an A category university. The next three are classified as B category universities. This information was provided by the Council for Evaluation, Validation and Assurance of the Quality in Superior Education of Ecuador (CEAACES).

International schools in the city include:

• École Franco-équatorienne Joseph-de-Jussieu (French school)
• Colegio Alemán Stiehle (German school)

Main sights

Most visitors to Cuenca explore the historic area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located between the Tomebamba River and the streets of Gran Colombia to the north, General Torres to the west, and Hermano Miguel to the east. This area is small, organized in a grid pattern, and has many clearly marked monuments, making it easy to find places. Outside this area, the city becomes harder to navigate because of many narrow colonial streets with similar-looking buildings.

Major festivals in Cuenca happen during the "Mass of Children" on January 6 (Epiphany Day) or during the city's independence celebration on November 3. These events include processions, cultural activities, and dances. Nearby, the Cañar plantation (in the same county) has the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador.

• Old Cathedral (Iglesia de El Sagrario): Built in 1557, the building became too small for the growing population. A new cathedral was built in 1880 to replace it. The old cathedral, now closed for religious use, has been restored and is used as a museum.
• New Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción): The towers were built shorter than planned because the architect made a mistake. If completed as originally designed, the foundation would not support the full height. Finished in 1975, the cathedral combines Romanesque Revival and Neo-Gothic styles. Its blue and white domes are a symbol of the city. The front is made of alabaster and local marble, and the floor is covered with pink marble from Italy. At its opening, the cathedral could hold 9,000 of Cuenca’s 10,000 residents at that time.
• Park Abdon Calderon: Located between the old and new cathedrals, this park is a peaceful place where people gather to relax. Nearby are the city’s municipal offices.
• Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion: Founded in 1682, the church has a colorful flower market in its courtyard. Its stone front and golden pulpit make it visually appealing.
• Monastery and Museum of La Concepcion: This site includes 17th-century tombs and a full collection of religious art.
• House of the Ecuadorian Culture
• Municipal Museum Remigio Crespo Toral
• Museum of the Central Bank
• Museum of the Aboriginal Cultures
• Church of Santo Domingo
• San Blas
• Turi the Mirador
• Ruinas de todos los santos: This ancient site has four trapezoidal stone niches from the Inca period and the remains of a colonial mill.

• Molleturo: A large rural area (about 1,000 square kilometers or 386 square miles) in Ecuador’s southern Andes includes several small villages. The center of this area is 1.5 hours by car from Cuenca, a much shorter distance than in the past, when travel by mule took three days. While the road improved access, it also harmed the local ecosystem, which is vital for daily life.
• Jima: Near Cuenca, this area is a popular hiking spot in southern Ecuador. Located at 8,800 feet (2,700 meters) near two green mountains, Jima offers trails for all skill levels, including a three-day hike from the Andes to the Amazon rainforest.
• Gualaceo
• Chordeleg: A town near Cuenca, less than 50 kilometers (31 miles) away, is known for its weavers, embroiderers, and potters. The area also has a stone corridor shaped like a snake, built before the Inca period, and is linked to gold and silver craftsmanship.

• El Cajas: A national park with rivers, streams, and lagoons, El Cajas ranges in altitude from 3,500 to 4,200 meters (11,500 to 13,800 feet) above sea level. It is a place for bird watching and trout fishing.

• Azogues: The capital of Cañar Province, located 29 kilometers (18 miles) from Cuenca, has a colonial atmosphere. A highlight is the San Francisco convent, built on the summit of a sacred mountain (huaca) of prehispanic people.
• Cañar plantation: Located 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Cuenca, this area has a colorful market and the nearby ruins of Ingapirca (Kichwa: "Inca wall"). These ruins, built in the 15th century by order of Huayna Capac, include stores, bathrooms, an Inca tambo (rest house), and a temple dedicated to the sun. Ingapirca is believed to have controlled the native Cañari people.

Culture

In Cuenca and other areas of Ecuador, a celebration called "El Carnaval" takes place. This holiday happens three days before Ash Wednesday. Families gather to honor a tradition that began as an ancient ritual. Today, people celebrate by throwing water balloons at friends and strangers and using "Carioca," a colorful, non-staining foam to spray others.

Cuenca's Independence Day is observed at the start of November. The celebration lasts for several days and includes parades, music performances, cultural activities, and markets where local crafts are sold.

The food in Cuenca is similar to that of other mountainous regions in Ecuador. Traditional dishes include cuy, which is a type of guinea pig, and hornado, a roasted meat dish. Other popular foods are made from potatoes and corn, such as llapingachos, mote pillo, mote pata, and morocho. Trout, a fish found in El Cajas National Park near Cuenca, is also commonly eaten.

In Cuenca, the main meal of the day is lunch, which is usually served in two parts. The first part is a soup, followed by a plate of stewed or grilled meat and rice.

Transport

Cuenca's interprovincial bus station, known as the Terminal Terrestre, is well organized and clean. It is located on Avenida España in the northeastern part of the city, about a twenty-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the historic center. Many city buses also stop here, as shown by the "Terminal Terrestre" sign on their windshields.

Buses arrive and leave throughout the day, connecting Cuenca to major cities like Guayaquil and Quito, as well as nearby cities such as Loja, Riobamba, and Machala. The distance to Guayaquil is 243 kilometers, and the bus ride takes nearly 4 hours along the Durán-Pto.Inca-Molleturo highway (I582W), which passes through Cajas National Park. Quito is 497 kilometers away, and the trip takes about 10 hours on the Pan-American Highway (I35N). Some travelers prefer night buses, but those who choose to ride overnight should be careful because there have been reports of bus hijackings, which can lead to theft.

The airport, called Aeropuerto Mariscal Lamar (Mariscal Lamar International Airport), is located east of the Terminal Terrestre on Avenida España. It is a five-minute walk from the bus station. Two airlines, Avianca Ecuador and LATAM Ecuador, operate flights to Quito. The airport is the third busiest in Ecuador, with more than 1,400,000 passengers passing through each year.

A tram or light rail line was completed in early 2019 and officially opened on May 25, 2020. The line is 10.5 kilometers long (about 7 miles) and has 27 stops. It begins at Cuenca Industrial Park in the north, passes through the Historic Center of Cuenca, and ends in the south near the entrance to Baños.

According to the Moovit Public Transport Index, Cuenca's bus system performs very well compared to other cities in Latin America. On average, people in Cuenca spend 51 minutes commuting by public transit each weekday, with only 7% of riders traveling more than 2 hours daily. The average wait time at a bus stop or station is 11 minutes, and only 9% of riders wait more than 20 minutes daily. Most trips are about 3.8 kilometers long, and no one travels more than 12 kilometers in a single direction. In 2018, the flat-rate bus fare was 30 US cents, with reduced fares of 15 US cents for children, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Twin towns – Sister cities

Cuenca has sister city relationships with the following locations:

• Rosario, Argentina
• Tempe, Arizona, United States
• Peekskill, New York, United States