This neighborhood has stood out since colonial times, first, because it was here that the first indigenous parish was built, and secondly because bullfights were held here in the plaza that today bears the name of Miguel de León (San Sebastián Park).
The neighborhood marks the western boundary of the Historic Center of Cuenca and its picturesque surroundings are very attractive to tourists.
Some of the most outstanding attractions here are the following:
Church of San Sebastian
In 1578, the first hermitage in the area was established in honor of Saint Sebastian and Saint Fabian, next to a shrine and a cross that marked the city limits. At the end of the 19th century, modifications were made to the church, but the history of this temple is somewhat turbulent since its construction was interrupted and postponed several times due to differences between the population and the clerical authorities.
Miguel de Leon Square (or San Sebastian Park)
San Sebastian Square is a large open space that has been used for a variety of purposes over time. In colonial times, it was a bullfighting arena – the scene of the tragic death of the physician Juan Seniérgues, a member of the French geodesic mission group. In the 19th century, it was used as a cattle market. At the beginning of the 20th century, the plaza was used as a sports arena, and years later it was finally turned into a park.
Museum of Modern Art
Su edificación se remonta a 1876, y es apenas en 1887 que abre sus puertas como el primer centro destinado a la curación de alcohólicos; conocida como la Casa de la Temperancia. Aunque los procedimientos terapéuticos para esa época todavía eran poco ortodoxos ya que el uso frecuente del látigo y baño en agua helada del rio era muy frecuente.
Carlos Bustos' Metal Embossing Workshop
A must-see when visiting this neighborhood is the workshop of Carlos Bustos – a place where metal art is forged that will envelop you in an atmosphere of yesteryear. Don Carlos was initially a tinsmith but later decided to dedicate himself to metal embossing, to give relief to the surfaces in order to create unique handicrafts.
Numerous restaurants and cafes with local and international cuisine
The gastronomic offer of this neighborhood is wide and for all tastes. Be sure to visit it, here you can learn more about it:
Store/gallery MAKI FAIR TRADE
Maki fair trade is an eco-, ethno- and neo-craft design platform that facilitates the producer/consumer relationship through fair trade, taking into account both the material and immaterial value of the resources, the technique, and the expertise of the artisans. In this store, you can find unique works from Gualaceo, Chordeleg, Cotopaxi, Bolivar, Saraguro, and artists from the Amazon.
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