🇪🇨 Discover Cuenca: Ecuador’s Timeless Colonial Gem

Nestled in the Andean highlands of southern Ecuador, Cuenca is the country’s third-largest city (after Quito and Guayaquil) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with history. Founded in 1557 on the ruins of the Inca city Tomebamba, it’s a living museum of 19th-century Spanish colonial architecture, earning its nickname as "The Athens of Ecuador" for its legacy of poets, artists, and thinkers. ✨ Why Visit? 🏛️ Grand Cathedrals: From the blue-domed New Cathedral to the gold-leafed San Alfonso Church. 🌸 Flower Markets: Bursting with orchids and roses at Plaza de las Flores. 👒 Panama Hat Central: Yes, they’re Ecuadorian! Shop at Homero Ortega. 📜 Colonial Splendor: Stroll past pastel mansions and cobbled plazas. 📍 Must-See Sights 1️⃣ Cuenca Cathedral ⛪ 2️⃣ Calle Larga (historic street) 🏡 3️⃣ Museo Pumapungo (Inca ruins + aviary) 🦜 4️⃣ Mirador de Turi (panoramic views) 🌄 💡 Travel Tips Stay: Book a boutique colonial hotel in the old town—dawn walks here are magical. Eat: Try hornado (roast pork) at Mercado 10 de Agosto. Day Trip: Cajas National Park (glacial lakes + hiking) is just an hour away! #Cuenca #EcuadorTravel #WorldHeritage