I have several posts on sentimental Cuenca in my blog. This one is an older post that I like to break down into each individual museum with a post of its own rather than one all post as before. I feel that on one of my favorite cities in Spain is worth it to tell you about their museums we like in a bit more details on each. So, therefore, here are my version of the other museums of Cuenca, in Castilla La Mancha autonomous community! Hope you enjoy them as I.
The Archivo Historico Provincial de Cuenca en la Calle Trabuco s/n. Not a museum per se but wonderful collection to be seen with appointment by the city hall or tourist office of Cuenca.
The Provincial Historical Archive of Cuenca is located in the building that was the Castle, from the 10C to the 15C (today by Calle Trabuco s/n), Later, it was ceded by Felipe II to the Court of the Inquisition of Cuenca so that they could build the building that they occupied until 1808, becoming a Barracks during the War of Independence and the Carlist Wars, and from the end of the 19C in civil prison, being abandoned in the 70s of the 20C. After a few years, the decision was made to rehabilitate it for the Provincial Historical Archive, and it was in 1985 when work began on the rehabilitation of that old prison. In this Provincial Historical Archive are more than 7 linear km of documents preserved, from the 13C to the present !!
By 1218, the city of Cuenca, which had been reconquered by Alfonso VIII in the year 1177, began its journey as a typically medieval city in the kingdom of Castile. The king gave the Fuero de Cuenca for his government that collect the characteristic Law of the Castilian border and in which, logically, the influence of Roman Law is collected. This Charter was adopted by numerous places. The Charter is the oldest document in the Provincial Historical Archive of Cuenca and is part of the Center’s parchment collection.
The Cuenca tourist office on the archives : https://visitacuenca.es/es/content/descubre-ciudad-y-paisaje-urbano/archivo-historico
The Castilla La Mancha regional tourist office on the archives : http://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/archivo-historico-provincial-de-cuenca-25961/descripcion/
The Casas del Rey or King’s houses are one of the three hanging houses (Casas Colgadas) that are preserved in the city, specifically the one that is further away. (see pic). There were houses of the 14-15C so they said but read on. It has a door in a semicircular arch guarded by Doric columns and topped by a carved lintel. Also, see my post on the Casas Colgadas or hanging houses of Cuenca! The first time they appeared portrayed was in 1565, exactly in the painting by the Belgian artist Anton van den Wyndaerde called “The Basin from the East” and although nobody knows the exact date of the origin of these houses, it is believed that they were built between the 15-16C, although some experts indicate that they are from the 13C. There are so many uncertainties about its beginnings that some experts believe that they are of medieval origin while others believe that they are Muslim constructions.
There were 20 Hanging Houses in all. Eight of them resisted until 1920, although at present only three of them remain standing, one called »Casa de la Sirena » or Mermaid house, and the other two known as « Casas del Rey » or king’s houses (the picture). Those known as houses of the Kings were occasional places of welcome for poor and homeless people, although their name comes from a few years ago when they fulfilled the function of accommodating the monarchs of the time during their visit to the city. All 3 of them were preserved thanks to the fact that at the beginning of the 20C the Cuenca City Council bought them and decided to restore them.
The Cultural Center of Castilla La Mancha on the hanging houses : https://cultura.castillalamancha.es/patrimonio/catalogo-patrimonio-cultural/casas-colgadas
The Castilla La Mancha regional tourist office on the hanging houses : http://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/casas-colgadas-27664/descripcion/
Another nice museum that not the time to see inside just walk around it and read about but it might be useful for others and for me a reminder to stop by is the Museo Palenteologico de Castilla La Mancha of Cuenca. On the Cerro Molina hill there is the Palaeontology Museum of Castilla La Mancha, a space that also offers excellent panoramic views of the city. In its almost 4,000 square meters are exposed more than 200 fossils, from the paleontological sites of Las Hoyas and Lo Hueco. There are also life-size replicas of dinosaurs and other prehistoric species, being an essential stop on the Ruta de los Dinosaurios (dinosaurs route) in Cuenca.
The Cultural house of Castilla La Mancha on the museum :https://cultura.castillalamancha.es/museos/nuestros-museos/museo-de-paleontologia
The official Paleontology museum of Castilla La Mancha in Cuenca : https://mupaclm.es/museo-paleontologico-de-castilla-la-mancha/
The Cuenca tourist office on the museum : https://visitacuenca.es/es/content/descubre-museos/mupa-museo-paleontologico-de-castilla-la-mancha
The Castilla La Mancha regional tourist office on the museum : http://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/museo-de-paleontologia-de-castilla-la-mancha-26861/descripcion/
There you go folks, a nice museum to see in lovely Cuenca Unesco heritage site and very quant,nice, as a typical Castilian town should be. Enjoy the other museums of Cuenca as I!!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 