World Heritage Photos

Historic Walled Town of Cuenca: Cuenca is a medieval fortified town in Spain. Cuenca was built in a defensive position during the rule of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Cuenca is also known as the Eagle's Nest because of its location high upon the steep rocks above the confluence of the rivers Huécar and Júcar. The town of Cuenca was reconquered by King Alfonso VIII of Castile in 1177. Cuenca Cathedral is the oldest Gothic cathedral in Spain. The cathedral was built in the period 1182-1270, the cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of Grace and Saint Julian. The Church of San Miguel has a Mudéjar ceiling. The town of Cuenca is famous for its hanging houses, the 'casas colgadas'. The hanging houses date back to the 15th century. The 16th century Mangana Tower is the clock tower of Cuenca. Cuenca is located in the Serranía de Cuenca, a limestone landscape sculpted by wind and water. The landscape of the Serranía de Cuenca is regarded unique in the world. The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1996. World Heritage Art: Balance at Serranía de Cuenca and Serranía de Cuenca

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   The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca is famous for its hanging houses, the 'casas colgadas'. The town of Cuenca is situated on a rock, high above the confluence of the rivers Huécar and Júcar. The wooden balconies of the 'casas colgadas' are suspended over the gorge of the river Huécar. The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1996.

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   The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca is a medieval fortified city in the eastern part of Spain. The town of Cuenca was built in a defensive position during the rule of the Caliphate of Córdoba, it is situated between the gorges of the river Huécar and river Júcar. Cuenca is also known as the Eagle's Nest because of its location high upon the rocks.

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   The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca towers high above a deep gorge, the 15th century hanging houses, the 'casas colgadas', were built on a rock above the Huécar River Gorge. The hanging houses are the most famous buildings in Cuenca. Nowadays, only three 'casas colgadas' remain, the Casa de la Sirena, the House of the Mermaid, and two Cases del Rey, the Houses of Kings.

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   The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca viewed from the Saint Paul Convent, the pedestrian bridge over the gorge of the Huécar River is called the St. Paul's Bridge, the Puente de San Pablo. The bridge is about 40 metres high. The original 16th century bridge collapsed, the present bridge was built in 1902. The bridge was built to connect the town of Cuenca to the Saint Paul Convent.

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   Historic Walled Town of Cuenca: Part of the historic walls of Cuenca, located near El Castillo, the remains of a fortress, built during the rule of the Caliphate of Córdoba. The walls were also built in this period. Cuenca was reconquered by King Alfonso VIII in 1177 of Castile. On the right hand side the limestone rock formations of the Serranía de Cuenca Nature Park.

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   Historic Walled Town of Cuenca: El Castillo are the remains of an ancient fortress. El Castillo was home to the Spanish Inquisition after 1583. In the 19th century, El Castillo, meaning the Castle, was destroyed by French soldiers during the Spanish War of Independence. The walls of the ancient fortress offer amazing views over the town of Cuenca and the gorge of the Huécar River.

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   Historic Walled Town of Cuenca: The Baroque Town Hall was built in 1762 and is situated in the Main Square, La Plaza Mayor. The square is the centre of Cuenca. The most important buildings on the square are the Town Hall, the Gothic Cuenca Cathedral and the 16th century Las Petras Convent, now a hotel.

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   Historic Walled Town of Cuenca: Cuenca Cathedral, the Nuestra Señora de Gracia, is dedicated to Our Lady of Grace and Saint Julian. The cathedral was built between 1182 and 1270, the nave does not follow exactly a straight line. Cuenca Cathedral is the oldest Gothic cathedral in Spain, the exterior lost its Gothic character because the façade was rebuilt during the Renaissance. 

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   Historic Walled Town of Cuenca: The Iglesia de San Miguel, the Church of San Miguel, is located close to the medieval town wall overlooking the Júcar River. The ceiling of the church is adorned in the Mudéjar style. The 13th century church was restored in the 20th century. Nowadays, the Church of San Miguel serves as a concert hall.

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    A rock formarion with capricious forms in the Serranía de Cuenca Nature Park, a breathtaking landscape sculpted by wind and water. The landscape of the Serranía de Cuenca is considered unique in the world, the limestone landscape of the Serranía de Cuenca with its curious shaped rocks is known as the 'Ciudad Encantada', the Enchanted City.

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    Historic Walled Town of Cuenca: The 18th century church Iglesia de San Felipe Neri. The towers of the church were built in the Neo-Mudéjar style. The interior of the church is decorated in the Baroque and Rococo styles. During the Easter week celebrations, the traditional Miserere Mei is sung from the steps of the church.

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    The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca is a well-preserved medieval fortified town in Spain. Cuenca is a network of medieval cobbled streets, narrow alleys and stairs. A walk around the alleys and streets of the upper part of the historic town of Cuenca offers beautiful views of the lower part of the town, the Huécar River Gorge and the surrounding landscape.

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    The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca is located in the Serranía de Cuenca Nature Park. Cuenca towers high above the gorges of the rivers Huécar and Júcar and is overlooking the landscape of the Serranía de Cuenca. The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.

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    The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca is famous for its hanging houses, the 'Casas colgadas'. The hanging houses date back to the 15th century. They belong to the greatest tourist attractions of Cuenca. Nowadays, the 'casas colgadas' houses a restaurant and a museum. The Historic Walled Town of Cuenca gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1996.

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    Historic Walled Town of Cuenca: The Torre de Mangana, the Mangana Tower, was built in the 16th century. The tower was probably part of a fortress. The tower was painted by the Flemish topographical artist Antoon van den Wijngaerde in 1565. The Mangana Tower was destroyed by lightning in the 18th century and rebuilt in 1926. Today, the tower is the clock tower of Cuenca.