Foundation fo Cuenca Day: November 3
Foundation of Cuenca is a public holiday in Ecuador.
The Foundation of Cuenca on November 3, isn’t an official public holiday in Ecuador, but is widely observed in the country and especially in Cuenca. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and capital of the Azuay province. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its historical Colonial Spanish Era buildings. This holiday is also known as the Independence Day of Cuenca.
History of Foundation of Cuenca
Cuenca was founded on April 12, 1557 by Gil Ramírez Dávalos, a Spanish explorer, commissioned by Andrés Mendoza, Viceroy of Peru. Mendoza had the city named after his home town of Cuenca, Spain. The city became independent from Spain on November 3, 1820, and joined Guayaquil and Quito as capital of one of the three provinces that make Ecuador. Cuenca then became one of three most important cities of Ecuador during the first years of Ecuador’s Independence from Spain. Cuenca at first was known as Guapondeleg, which means as large as heaven in Cañari language. After being taken by the Incan Empire, it was named as Tomebamba, meaning river valley of knives. In 1557 the Spaniards arrived and took the city, naming it as Santa Ana de los Cuatro Rios de Cuenca, Saint Anne of the Four Rivers of Cuenca. On November 3, 1820, Cuenca declared itself independent from Spain, following other cities of Ecuador.
Foundation of Cuenca Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
The celebrations are marked by night firework displays. But the center and most noteworthy are the hundreds of craftsmen and artists that come to Cuenca to display their work on art fairs. During the day Ecuadorians can enjoy street theaters, and several events are organized during the night like concerts, art exhibitions and dancing all over the city. The celebrations usually extend beyond November 3 and can take as much as 10 days, as this is Cuenca’s biggest annual celebration.
Other interesting posts:
- Ecuador Independence Day
- Ecuador Commemorates the Battle of Pichincha
- Ecuador salutes Independence of Guayaquil
- Ecuador rejoices Columbus Day
- Ecuador Bolivar Birthday
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