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The city of Cuenca, considered Ecuador’s most beautiful relic, marks the beginning of the Southern Sierra; a remote and traditional region that boasts some of Ecuador’s most unusual indigenous communities and the country’s most famous Inca ruins. Situated at 2500 mts., Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, and is the capital of the Azuay province. Famous for its arts and crafts, cathedrals, and colonial architecture, this city is proudly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site.
A pleasant drive from the city will take you to the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador, Ingapirca. Built in 15th century, this pre-colonial fortress features magnificent mortar less stonework, indicating that this must have been an important Incan site. While much of Ingapirca has been dismantled over the years by locals for use in their own buildings, this only adds to its special mystique.
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