Drawing From Nature                                Fine Art Drawings by      Philip J. Leonard iii

Cuenca

Old Cuenca sits high on a narrow, steep-sided hill that drops precipitously on either side to the deep gorges of the Jucar and Huecar rivers. The houses on either side of the city are built right on the edge of the cliffs that fall into these gorges. This gives one the impression that they are hanging on the edge of the cliffs and thus their popular name "Cuenca's Hanging Houses".

The earliest records of settlement in the city are from the 8th century. However, human habitation in the area of the gorges dates back to the Paleolithic era.

         

The Cathedral

         

    

This is the Parador (hotel) in which we stayed the night. It was originally a convent and later a monastery. It occupies the only level land on the south side of the gorge. It is a lofty position at close to 400 feet above the floor of the gorge. The bridge in the foreground must be traversed on foot in order to enter the city walls from the south. The foundations for this bridge date back 1000 years.