Cuenca, Spain

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Cuenca is a city (2004 pop. 47,862) in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. It is the capital of the province of Cuenca (see map).

Its name may derive from Latin conca meaning "river basin" and referring to the gorge of the rivers Júcar and Huécar. It may also be derived from the now-ruined Arab castle, Kunka. Its medieval town can still be explored. Other alternative original names are contemplated, including "Anitorgis", "Sucro" or "Concava".^{[citation needed]} The city of Cuenca is also known as the 'Eagle's Nest' because of its position on the hill.

A beautiful and ancient city, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its casas colgantes or casas colgadas ("hanging houses") on the edge of the gorge of the river Huécar. While its collection of historical buildings is not as impressive as Toledo or Salamanca, it offers a unique mixture of nature and human constructions. Its landscapes are particularly wonderful in autumn, due to the mix of green, yellow and red colours in the gorges of the two rivers.

[edit] Attractions

The city is a popular day or weekend trip from Madrid, to which it is connected by rail (RENFE) and by highway (160 km), and is home to numerous museums, including the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art. Other attractions include Cuenca Cathedral.