Every December 7, the square of Santa Domingo, the aisles of the central church, doorways and surrounding streets are decorated with thousands of lighted lanterns, a unique tradition in Cuenca in honor of the “Virgen Reina de Cuenca” (Virgin of Cuenca). Attendees and families in general participate in the inaugural Eucharist, serenade and lighting of their own...
April is a very special month for the people of Cuenca, where family traditions such as the preparation of the fanesca (grain soup with fish) and the novenas are the basis of this religious celebration. Traditional masses in the Cathedral of the city and the visit to the 7 churches of Centro Histórico also take place during this festivity.
One of the most important celebrations which take place during Cuenca’s Carnival, where the delivery of a “guagua” (girl) made of bread or sugar on a tray with flower petals is the symbol of compadrazgo (friendship). Between February and March, hundreds of people attend the festival in a large area of the city, to enjoy popular music and dances, and people play the...