Cuenca, Spain

Cuenca is a city in Spain, located in the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is the biggest surprise of Castilla-La Mancha, picturesquely perched on a rock between the rivers Wecar and Hucar. Cuenca is divided into two parts - old and new city. It originated in 784 under the name Kunka, ruled by the Banu Dil-Nun family, a Berber clan under the Caliphate of Cordoba. In 1177, Cunca was annexed to the Kingdom of Castile by Alfonso VIII.
Cuenca's calling card is the striking Callas Kolgadas - hanging houses. Hanging houses are a unique example of the widespread local architecture in the past, of which only a small part is preserved today. One of these houses houses the Museum of Abstract Art, with collections of prominent abstract artists.
One of the places in Cuenca that is worth visiting is the Cathedral of Cuenca. This is a national monument of Gothic-Norman and Renaissance architecture, which is currently being restored. In front of it is the trapezoidal Plaza Mayor, used for processions during Holy Week. In honor of the artist, poet and art publisher Antonio Perez, still living in Cuenca, the labyrinth of the Antonio Perez Foundation stretched out in a former monastery overhanging the gorge.
The Torre Mangana Tower, built in the 16th century, is one of the city's symbols. The city of Cuenca is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a candidate for European Capital of Culture in 2016. Apart from an attractive cityscape, it also has something to show in its surroundings. 25 km northeast is Ciudad Encantada or the Enchanted City, and 5 km north is the gorge of the river Hucar - Garganta del Hucar, revealing a very good view through the Devil's Window - Ventana del Diablo.