We humans have always longed to be able to travel back in time – proof of this is the countless fictional stories about it that we can find in movies, series, and comics. But there is a more concrete way to travel back in time. When you walk through the heritage houses of Cuenca, a portal opens before you through which you can access historic buildings of great cultural identity. Get ready to reach beyond the imaginable on this magical journey.
Centro Cultural Municipal Quinta Bolívar
Start this tour in 1937, in a colorful building of the mid-twentieth century of great architectural and historical value, located in the sector of Gapal, where the Royal Road that connected the city of Tomebamba – the administrative center of the north of the Inca Empire – with Cuzco used to pass.
Quinta Bolívar has a library with an important bibliographic archive on Simón Bolívar and the independence period, and the library bears the name of Manuela Sáenz. Thus, the names of our liberators are immortalized together.
- Located at: Av. 24 de Mayo and Redondel de Gapal
- Contact: 413 4900 ext. 2062
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:45 PM
- Entrance: Free
Fundación Municipal Bienal de Cuenca
Continue your trip going further back to the year 1928, to a building of singular characteristics. The now-called ‘Bienal de Cuenca’ has two façades, the main one being a replica of one depicted in a photograph taken and brought from France by its former owner, Mr. José Antonio Alvarado, on one of his many trips to Europe. In addition to being one of the pioneers of photography in Cuenca, he was a watchmaker, bookseller, importer, and trader of various products.
Its decoration will captivate your eyes with its diverse materials, murals, wallpaper, and polychrome brass, all obtained thanks to Alvarado’s activity as an importer. Currently, this restored mansion is owned by the City Hall of Cuenca and serves as the headquarters of the Biennial of Cuenca.
- Located at: Bolívar 13-89 and Estévez de Toral St.
- Contact: 2834 253
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 6 PM
- Entrance: Free
Casa Patrimonial Municipal de las Posadas
Now we move to the late eighteenth century, to a building of remarkable historical and patrimonial value. Of simple appearance, with two large columns – each made of a single piece of wood, – a stone interior courtyard, and a tile roof, a painting of the Virgen del Carmen stands out inside.
This building is one of the oldest in Cuenca and takes its name from the activity that used to take place there – providing lodgment for travelers. Thanks to its strategic location, it was the entrance to the city from the coast and was ideal for lodging merchants who came to exchange their crops.
- Located at: Gran Colombia 17-42, between Octavio Cordero y Miguel Heredia streets
- Contact: 413 4900 ext. 2062
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:45 PM
- Entrance: Free
Casa Patrimonial Municipal del Alfarero
Our journey through time continues in 1845, the year in which the Charter of the Constitution was drafted in a large house that hosted that memorable meeting of notable figures. Located in the traditional neighborhood “Convención de 45”, this building has undergone a remarkable transformation, since for many years it was completely neglected and abandoned until it was recently restored by the City Hall of Cuenca.
- Located at: Mariscal La Mar and Convención del 45
- Contact: 413 4900 ext. 2062
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:45 PM
- Entrance: Free
Casa Patrimonial Municipal de Chaguarchimbana
A colorful mansion awaits us in the year 1870, a time when this was one of the main entrances to the city. Lady Florencia Astudillo from Cuenca was its owner while it was one of the most elegant mansions in the region, full of luxuries and comforts for that time, such as wide corridors, a gazebo, and murals that adorned the front façade.
It was restored in 1992 and currently operates as a Cultural Center with exhibition halls, where multiple courses organized by the Department of Culture of the local government of Cuenca are taught and arts and crafts fairs are held.
- Located at: Las Herrerías and Las Retamas streets
- Contact: 413 4900 ext. 2062
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:45 PM
- Entrance: Free
Casa Patrimonial Municipal del Artista
Our next destination takes us through an outstanding natural environment next to the Yanuncay River. Also known as Casa del Arcoste, this building is more than 150 years old. The priest Jesús Arriaga was its owner, an archeology-savvy, polyglot, writer, and polemicist.
On July 27, 2018, it opened its doors to the community as a cultural space administered by the Department of Culture to accommodate various artistic manifestations and thus give back to the city – and the entire region – a property with enormous significance within the urban landscape.
- Located at: Av. Loja and Cantón Gualaceo St.
- Contact: 413 4900 ext. 2062
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:45 PM
- Entrance: Free
Casa Patrimonial Municipal de La Lira
We set course towards the end of the 20th century to find a heritage building located in the neighborhood of El Vado. La Lira was a social and intellectual icon of Cuenca’s society and poets gathered there to declaim their lyrical compositions. Those who excelled in poetry contests were awarded prizes, and the winner was called “vate” and crowned with laurel leaves. In this patrimonial house, some remarkable events related to the musical tradition of Cuenca took place, and for this reason, it has a distinctive lyre on its façade.
- Located at: Calle La Condamine 12-124
- Contact: 413 4900 ext. 2062
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:45 PM
- Entrance: Free
Casa Patrimonial Municipal Márquez
Our journey through time ends in a building over 100 years old. This mansion was in ruins and had extensions that were not patrimonial, such as internal block walls, so it was almost completely rebuilt – although its original adobe façade was preserved. In the remodeling process – carried out by the City Hall of Cuenca –vernacular and contemporary architecture were combined, but preserving a rustic style indoors, in harmony with the environment and the original design. For instance, the handrails are made of iron with wooden details.
- Located at: La Condamine and Juan Montalvo streets
- Contact: 413 4900 ext. 2739
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:45 PM
- Entrance: Free
Are you ready to travel through time? Get ready to go beyond fiction and take this tour through the fascinating history of Cuenca, a city that enchants forever after.
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