Being one of the oldest and most traditional neighborhoods in the city, both the tangible and intangible heritage of El Vado are very rich. Its history dates back to early colonial times, a time of great commercial activity in the area since it is located at the southern access to Cuenca. These were the streets of the bakers, a trade that prevailed in the neighborhood due to its proximity to the Batán mills.
El Vado has several attractions such as:
El Vado Cross
The current marble cross replaced the original one, which was made of stone and was placed there in colonial times to mark the city limit. The shelter over the cross was built in the early 20th century and has persisted pretty much unaltered ever since. The religious festivity of The Cross is still celebrated every year on May 3rd, when the streets and buildings throughout the entire neighborhood are colorfully decorated.
The Small Square of the Cruz de El Vado, with the Sculpture of the "Palo Ensebado"
In the middle of the 19th century, this sector was known as “El alto del río del Vado de San Francisco.” Some very old traditions are kept alive here, such as the “palo ensebado” (greased pole,) to which a monument has been erected in the square. This game was widely practiced here until the 1970s, and the copper monument shows how adults and children would climb the greased wood pole to try to get their hands on one of the prizes hanging from the top, which were usually food, utensils, and toys.
Museums and Cultural Centers
Municipal Heritage Casa de la Lira
This neoclassical-style house belonged to the musician Luis Pauta Rodríguez, so it has a lyre on the top of its facade, which gives the building its name. Formerly, the “Festival de la Lira” was held here every last Saturday of May – a poetry competition in which great local writers took part. Today, “Casa de la Lira” is one of the Municipal Heritage Houses and its premises host a number of artistic and cultural events, as was the wish of its original owner.
“El Prohibido" Cultural Center
El Prohibido (“The Forbidden”) is a venue open to the expression of the most transgressive cultural manifestations, in different formats: music, theater, painting, sculpture, video art, etc. The museum began operating in 1996 thanks to artist Eduardo Moscoso’s request for a space to exhibit his works without being censored, since back then the local society was much more conservative than today.
Casa Museo la Condamine
La Casa Museo La Codamine exhibits and offers objects and curiosities from different periods of contemporary history; as well as, a small sample of colonial religious art. This complex offers a tourist attraction that delights both locals and strangers.
Hotel "Cruz del Vado"
This building is more than 90 years old. The walls of the first floor are made of adobe; the upper floors, are of wattle and daub, and its outer walls are entirely covered with local pink marble – a symbol of the luxurious lifestyle of the era in which it was built. Moreover, on the rooftop is the bar/restaurant “Cúpulas Azules,” a place renowned for its excellent gastronomy and for having one of the best panoramic views of the city.
How to get to El Vado?
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