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Places in Spain -
El Torcal mountain
range, Andalucia
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The
province
of
Cuenca
is one
of
five
provinces
within
the
region
of
Castilla-La-Mancha,
the
other
four
being
Guadalajara,
Toledo,
Albacete
and
Ciudad
Real.
The
whole
area
has
some
of the
most
historic
and
beautiful
lands
within
the
whole
of
Spain.
Remains
of
burial
grounds
dating
from
the
Iron
Age
have
been
discovered
as
well
as
some
major
Roman
settlements
such
as
those
at Saelices
and
Valeria.
Cuenca
the
city,
known
as the
'Eagles
nest'
because
of its
position,
high
on a
hill,
is
easily
accessed
by
means
of the
N430/N320
highways
and
has a
good
infrastructure
within
the
city.
The
city
is
separated
from
the
nearby
rock
face
by
deep
ravines
in
which
the
rivers
Júcar
and
Huécar
run.
The
city
is
clearly
divided
into
two
parts;
the
old
and
the
modern.
The
modern
half
offers
very
little
history,
mainly
consisting
of
modern
residences,
tower
blocks
and
apartments.
The
old
part
is one
of the
most
wonderful
cities
in
Spain
and is
worthy
of
several
days
exploration.
We
visited
Cuenca
in
March
2003
and
enjoyed
our
stay
thoroughly. |
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The
Cathedral,
pictured
left,
located
in
Plaza
Mayor
dates
from
1177
and
shows
architecture
over
several
periods.
The
interior
houses
many
works
of
art.
There
are
several
chapels
located
within;
each
very
different.
The
Palcacio
Episcopal
dating
from
the
13th
century
is
also
worthy
of a
visit.
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The
Town
Hall
dating
from
the
18th
century
is
located
near
the
cathedral
(look
for
the
flags
flying).
Close
to
this
you
will
find
several
street
cafes
where
you
can
enjoy
the
afternoon
sun.
There
are
several
car
parks
close
by;
don't
be
tempted
to
park
in the
Plaza
Mayor.
Pictured
right
is the
Plaza
Mayor
and
Town
Hall,
looking
from
the
cathedral
steps. |
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Separated
from
the
old
town
by the
ravine
and
sitting
on the
edge
of the
rock
is the
San
Pablo
Convent.
This
is now
the
Parador,
a
luxurious
restoration
and
four
star,
state-run
hotel.
The
convent
dates
from
the
16th
century
and
the
hotel
is
adorned
with
period
furniture
and
works
of
art.
The
Parador
makes
an
excellent
place
to
stay
with
splendid
views
of the
town.
From
the
Parador
take
the
iron
bridge
to the
old
town
and
watch
for
the
famous
'hanging
houses'.
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The 'Hanging
Houses'
one of
which
is
pictured
right,
are
possibly
the
most
surprising
and
amazing
features
of the
city.
These
four
houses
literally
hang
on the
edge
of the
cliff,
overlooking
the
deep
ravine
near
San
Pablo
Bridge.
These
houses
have
become
a
symbol
of
Cuenca. |
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Within
many
of the
cobbled
streets
of old
Cuenca
you
will
find
rows
of
tall,
town
houses,
painted
in
vivid
pastel
colours
such
as
those
pictured
left.
This
particual
street
is
found
through
the
arch
of the
town
hall,
heading
down
the
hill.
There
are
few
shops
in the
old
town
other
than
the
odd
tourist
shop.
For
shopping
you
need
to
head
to the
modern
part
of
Cuenca.
You
will
however
find a
great
shop
near
the
town
hall
that
sells
all
manner
of
local
craft
items. |
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Walk
past
the
cathedral,
up the
hill
to the
castle
for
splendid
panoramic
views.
There
is a
walk
from
the
castle,
heading
even
higher
that
gives
you
the
best
views.
A
little
past
the
castle
you
will
find a
tourist
information
office
and
several
quaint
bars.
There
is
ample
parking
at the
top so
taking
a car
through
the
town
is not
really
a
problem.
This
is
also
the
place
to be
if you
are a
walker.
There
are
several
planned
routes
giving
the
best
sights.
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Villages
and
towns
of
Cuenca
Province
Alarcon
In
the
south
of
the
province,
a
walled
village
built
to
a
medieval
plan
and
well
preserved.
The
village
has
four
'must-see'
churches
and
a
castle
where
Don
Juan
Manuel
wrote
most
of
his
works.
The
hill
where
the
village
is
situated
seems
to
have
been
inhabited
since
prehistoric
times.
It
was
conquered
by
the
Romans,
converted
into
a
fortress
by
the
Arabs
and
conquered
back
by
Alfonso
VIII.
The
enclosing
ramparts
are
one
of
the
best
known
and
most
complete
defence
systems
existing
in
Spain
today.
The
castle
was
built
by
Alfonso
VIII
on
the
site
of
an
earlier
Arab
castle.
Worthy
of
a
mention
in
the
village
is
the
Don
Juan
Manuel
Square
which
is
home
to
the
Town
Hall
and
St.John's
Church.
There
are
numerous
other
historical
buildings
scattered
throughout
the
village.
Spanning
the
river
are
two
bridges,
both
of
Arab
construction
built
on
older,
Roman
ones. |
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Belmonte
A
monumental
town
of
great
interest
with
many,
well
preserved
architectural
gems,
not
least
of
all
its
castle.
It
was
built
by
Juan
Pacheco
in
1456-1470
on
the
site
of
an
earlier
castle
dated
1324.
It
was
restored
at
one
point
and
used
as
a
private
residence.
The
walled
precinct
whose
15th-16th
century
ramparts
and
gates
connect
the
old
town
with
the
castle
is
particularly
well
preserved.
Belmonte
has
more
than
its
fair
share
of
churches,
palaces
and
convents.
The
hermitage
of
Nuestra
Senora
de
Gracia,
dated
17th
century
is
certainly
worthy
of
a
visit. |
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Pictured right is just one of several important castles in the Cuenca province.
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Huete
The
town
has
its
roots
in
the
Roman,
Visigothic,
Arab
and
Christian
times.
The
town
finally
passed
into
the
hands
of
the
Crown
in
1476.
Huete
has
conserved
a
large
number
of
mansions
and
religious
monuments.
In
Calle
Nueva
you
will
find
the
Bishop's
Palace
from
the
18th
century,
in
Calle
de
las
Escuelas,
the
magnificent
ruins
of
the
church
of
Our
Lady
of
Atienza
can
be
seen.
Other
buildings
include
several
major
churches,
palaces
and
the
castle,
built
on
a
hill,
overlooking
the
town.
San
Clemente
A
Mancha
town
located
in
the
south
of
the
province,
on
the
Mancha
plain.
An
elegant
and
noble
town
where
evidence
of
Roman
occupation
has
been
discovered.
The
town
was
founded
in
the
12th
century
by
the
Catholic
Monarchs
and
shows
architecture,
well
preserved
from
the
16th
century,
such
as
the
Town
Hall
in
Plaza
Mayor.
If
you
walk
through
the
streets
you
will
see
that
all
the
churches
and
palaces
all
remain
well
cared
for.
Note
the
two
bridges
that
cross
the
Rio
Rus. |
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Local
crafts
Historical
artefacts
in
the
museums
of
Cuenca
prove
that
for
many
centuries,
the
province
has
been
well
known
for
its
craftsmanship
in
many
mediums.
Even
to
this
day,
craft
activity
has
been
injected
with
new
techniques
and
new
forms.
The
area
has
been
noted
for
its
crafts
in
ivory,
glass,
carpets
and
ironwork.
Wood,
ceramics
and
wickerwork
are
also
still
popular
today.
We
have
ceramics
from
Cuenca
and
Priego,
glass
from
Cuenca,
wax
objects
from
Albalete
and
Tarancon,
taxidermy
from
Mota
and
cutlery
from
Minglanilla,
and
these
are
just
a
few.
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Gastronomy
Cuenca shares many features of its gastronomy with the other provinces of Castilla-La-Mancha; its origins, traditions and quality of its raw materials. Heavy dishes, high in calories such as hotpots, lamb and game. But Cuenca has a few exclusive dishes and unique methods of preparation. One such dish is zarajos, which consists of lamb's guts roast in a wood-fired oven after being rolled on a piece of vine shoot, very spicy and very tasty. By far, the province's most unique dish has to be morteruelo, made from grated pig's liver, chicken, cured ham, pig's lard, walnuts and spices.
Other delights include dishes using trout from the mountain streams and game from the rolling countryside. All washed down with an ample supply of wine from the local vineyards. No meal is complete without the Manchegan cheese and pastries from the local bakers.Festivals and fiestas
The province begins the year with the festival of Moors and Christians around January 8th in Valverde de Jucar and on the third Sunday in January in Valera de Abajo. In Las Mesas they celebrate this festival by the lighting of bonfires. The celebration of the Purification of the Virgin is of special importance in Almonacid del Marquesado. The most famous festival is by far the Holy Week celebrations when the whole province comes alive in a blaze of colour. May Day is celebrated in most villages and on 2-3 May Las Majadas celebrates the Holy Cross.
In August and September many of the villages celebrate their patron saints and in October, Corpus Christi is marked in Fuentelespino de Haro. The year closes with the festival of the Vitor in Horcajo de Santiago, centering on the figure of the Immaculate Conception and the living Nativity scene in Vega del Codorno. |
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