Cuenca, Spain

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For other articles on subjects named Cuenca, see Cuenca.

Image:Cuenca, Spain location.png Image:Cuenca arch.jpg

Cuenca is a city (2004 pop. 47,862) in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. It is the capital of the province of Cuenca.

Its name may derive from Latin conca meaning "river basin" and referring to the gorge of the rivers Júcar and Huécar. Other alternative original names are contemplated, including "Anitorgis", "Sucro" or "Concava". The city of Cuenca is also known as the 'Eagle's Nest' because of its position on the hill.

Image:Cuenca casas colgadas.jpg

A beautiful and ancient city, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its casas colgadas (hanging houses) on the edge of the gorge of the river Huécar. While its collection of historical buildings is not as impressive as Toledo or Salamanca, it offers a unique mixture of nature and human constructions. The landscapes there are particularly wonderful in autumn, due to the mix of green, yellow and red colours in the gorges of the two rivers.

Image:Cuenca Catedral de Cuenca.jpg The city is a popular day or weekend trip from Madrid, to which it is connected by rail (RENFE), and is home to numerous museums, including the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art.

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