Plaza Mayor
This square is the social center of the old city. It is flanked by the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) on one side and the cathedral on the other. Only local traffic is permitted in the plaza during most of the day, making it safer for walking around. Cafes spill out into the plaza at mealtimes. Calle Alfonso VIII heads downhill from the plaza. Painters and photographers love the faded pastel colors of the houses, many of which have medieval crests above their ancient doors. Be sure to walk to the top of the hill by the Arco de Bezudo for almost unbelievably long vistas. Different but just as dramatic views can be found at the Mirador de San Miguel, northwest of Plaza Mayor. It overlooks the Júcar gorge and its green hillsides. Deep gorges give Cuenca an unreal quality, and eight old bridges span two rivers at the bottom to connect the medieval city with the booming new town. Assuming that you’re not prone to vertigo, take the leap of faith into thin air and walk across the Puente de San Pablo, a footbridge between the old city and the parador that crosses a 60m (197-ft.) drop. It gives a great perspective on the casas colgadas (hanging houses). In the summer, the intense heat of the day suddenly dissipates at night and the streets of Cuenca become so cool that you may want a sweatshirt or jacket. At dusk and dawn, thousands of swallows swoop and dart in the high air of the gorges.
This square is the social center of the old city. It is flanked by the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) on one side and the cathedral on the other. Only local traffic is permitted in the plaza during most of the day, making it safer for walking around. Cafes spill out into the plaza at mealtimes. Calle Alfonso VIII heads downhill from the plaza. Painters and photographers love the faded pastel colors of the houses, many of which have medieval crests above their ancient doors. Be sure to walk to the top of the hill by the Arco de Bezudo for almost unbelievably long vistas. Different but just as dramatic views can be found at the Mirador de San Miguel, northwest of Plaza Mayor. It overlooks the Júcar gorge and its green hillsides. Deep gorges give Cuenca an unreal quality, and eight old bridges span two rivers at the bottom to connect the medieval city with the booming new town. Assuming that you’re not prone to vertigo, take the leap of faith into thin air and walk across the Puente de San Pablo, a footbridge between the old city and the parador that crosses a 60m (197-ft.) drop. It gives a great perspective on the casas colgadas (hanging houses). In the summer, the intense heat of the day suddenly dissipates at night and the streets of Cuenca become so cool that you may want a sweatshirt or jacket. At dusk and dawn, thousands of swallows swoop and dart in the high air of the gorges.
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