Hello friends. This time, I wanted to share my memories of a trip to a small but very charming city: Cuenca. This city is located between Valencia and Madrid and has a unique feature: it sits at the confluence of two rivers, nestled among steep rocky cliffs and valleys. Its nature and landscapes are fascinating and its history is equally impressive. So, I’ll tell you about what I did here in just one day… I hope you’ll find it interesting.
First we headed to the city center. And you know what’s usually at the heart of a city: a cathedral. Here there’s a cathedral dating back to the 12th century. Its construction took several centuries and it’s considered one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain. Surrounding it are vibrant, colorful houses, which is quite an unusual sight for Spain. These houses are painted in bright, natural hues, creating a lovely scene.
Another intriguing structure that caught my attention was a building with three arches. In the past people used to arrive here in horse-drawn carriages. But now they come by car.
Cuenca also has the lively noise of children, adding to the typical atmosphere of a Spanish town. When I first arrived, the lack of sunshine made it feel as if the city was frowning at me. However, the warmth of its deep-rooted history and the cheerful laughter of children running around quickly changed my impression.
As you know I always mention cathedrals in my travel writings. If you’re thinking "Another cathedral?", I have to tell you. Don’t miss this one. The Cathedral of Santa María isn’t just a religious site. It’s almost like an art gallery. The entrance fee is quite reasonable (7 Euros). And inside you’ll find a treasure trove of religious art: tapestries, paintings, murals and ornate furniture. It’s very impressive. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Julian. Saint Julian was a bishop who lived in Toledo in the 12th century and is buried here. The authenticity of his remains has been verified too.
The cathedral also features numerous chapels, each unique in its style. For example, the Chapel of Saint Helena is particularly striking with its circular gallery of paintings. There’s also the Chapel of Saint James and the Chapel of the Assumption of Mary, both equally impressive. Each chapel has a distinct design, yet they all come together harmoniously. Exploring each one and admiring the religious artworks is a delightful experience.
And the cathedral boasts magnificent stained-glass windows. These windows reflect light in stunning ways, creating dazzling colors and playful patterns of light. If you ever visit Cuenca, this is definitely a place you shouldn’t miss.
Afterward we explored other structures outside the cathedral. But by this point, we had already discovered one of the most significant landmarks you can see in Cuenca in a single day.
This city,situated at the meeting point of two rivers and surrounded by towering cliffs, offers a unique blend of nature, scenery and history. One of Cuenca’s greatest charms lies in its extraordinary views and the fantastical shapes formed by the erosion of its rocky cliffs.
We climbed to the highest point in Cuenca, the Mangana Tower (Torre de Mangana). This tower the only surviving one in the city, was part of the walls built by the Arabs. From here I could see the city and its surroundings from above. The main square where the cathedral stands looked stunning and radiated a historic atmosphere.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without seeing the famous hanging houses.
These houses are one of Cuenca’s most iconic features. Watching the homes perched on the cliffs was such a delightful experience. It felt like looking at a scene straight out of a postcard.
After exploring the city, we headed to the Saint Paul Monastery. This monastery is now used as a hotel and is part of the Parador chain, which offers accommodations in Spain’s historic buildings. These hotels combine historic architecture with modern interiors, providing a comfortable and unique lodging experience.
We ended our day in Cuenca with a breathtaking view of the city from above. The sight of the houses built on the cliffs merging with the canyon was impressive. If you’re looking to experience both historical and natural beauty in one place... I highly recommend visiting Cuenca.
