Inca terraces
Above the river.
Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0
An archaeological site and large park in Cuenca, on the ruins of Tomebamba, the city the Incas built here in the fifteenth century as their second capital in the north, said to rival Cusco in splendour, before it was destroyed in wars and the Spanish built Cuenca on top. You walk among the foundations of Inca stone walls and farming terraces stepping down a slope above the Tomebamba River, with old water channels. Below are a botanical garden of native Andean plants, llama pens and a bird-rescue centre with parrots and birds of prey. Beside the gardens a building holds archaeology and art exhibitions; the gardens and ruins alone make a free, quiet, family-friendly visit, with views over the city and hills from the top. The site is at the end of café-lined Calle Larga, easy to combine with a walk around the historic centre. The sun is strong on the terraces, so bring a hat.
Above the river.
In the park.
Parrots and raptors.
Calle Larga, east of Cuenca's historic centre
Stone wall foundations, farming terraces and water channels on a slope above the river, in Pumapungo park; it was a second Inca capital in the north.
