Culture Trip

It is to be proud that the quality of an original product is widely recognized, and jewelry from Cuenca enjoys this privilege. The fine pieces made by our skilled artisans captivate anyone who sees them. The goldsmiths and jewelers of Cuenca have unmatched skills, which they have perfected by integrating craft techniques like embossing, filigree, […]

Nowadays, it is unlikely that many know what saddlery is – a craft activity in which leather is molded to shape belts, aprons, saddles, and other items. A very laborious activity indeed, almost extinct because of technology. However, there are still many saddlers who try to preserve it, because working by hand requires more dedication,

Woodwork is a central element in Cuenca\’s artisan culture; it is part of its architecture and sculptures, and a testimony of the heritage that we must preserve. In the historic center of the city, you can see the use of carved wood in some elements present in colonial houses, republican houses, churches, and convents, such

Inspiration molded in clay and materialized in beautiful ceramics. Pottery and ceramics have a privileged position in Cuenca as the most sought-after crafts, both for their history and artistic value. Clay art stems from pre-Columbian cultures and it has integrated new techniques over the centuries, resulting in a beautiful mixture. The production of pottery is

Turning a block of marble into figures such as dolphins, turtles or eagles requires extraordinary skill, since it is a matter of making a stone come to life. This is one of the most difficult crafts since when sculpting marble there is no room for mistakes – one wrong stroke and the stone will crack,

To light up the festivities and liven up the celebrations, pyrotechnics come in to impress with their dazzling display of lights. One of its most typical items is the castle – a reed structure several stories high. On average, it takes three weeks of work to build a single castle. Besides the castles, the well-known

Imagine a canvas on which lies not a painting, but rather a work of texture and color created by a needle, thread, and the skillful hands of an artisan. This is how embroidery captures its version of whatever inspires it, from landscapes and architectural works to animals and even prominent historical figures. Embroidery also plays

Fine strands intertwined with precise harmony give shape to an Ecuadorian icon that we wear with pride – the toquilla straw hat, a piece that transcends all borders. Even Hollywood stars wear with great fascination the well-known ¨Panama Hat¨, which is actually made in Ecuador. Its relevance is immense, so much so that UNESCO declared

A creation that emerges from the forge, the anvil and the hammer seems to come to life. The creator imbues these works with his emotions, inspiration, and effort. Those lamps, vases, candlesticks, locks, and other decorative pieces made with wrought iron fascinate us for being unique and impossible to match even for items made with

We humans have always longed to be able to travel back in time – proof of this is the countless fictional stories about it that we can find in movies, series, and comics. But there is a more concrete way to travel back in time. When you walk through the heritage houses of Cuenca, a