Inside Cuenca: Ecuador’s UNESCO City of Art, Craft & Culture”(1981)

Welcome to Cuenca, Ecuador — a UNESCO World Heritage City that blends colonial beauty with rich cultural traditions. In this episode of The Design Tourist, travel journalist Karen LeBlanc explores Cuenca’s artisan heart: from the world-famous Panama hat weavers and flower vendors of Plaza de Las Flores to the copper rose makers and guitar luthiers nestled high in the Andes. Ride horseback on the Inca Trail, sip herbal tea brewed by indigenous healers, and discover why Cuenca is known as the “Safekeeper of Culture” in Ecuador. We delve into the rich heritage of ancestral craftsmanship, encompassing black ceramics, silver filigree, and culinary traditions that define this vibrant city. Locations featured: Plaza de Las Flores Homero Ortega Panama Hat Factory Cajas National Park Tiestos Restaurant Taller Uyaguari (Guitar workshop) Chordeleg Silver District