Hanging Houses in Cuenca (Casas Colgadas)

The Hanging Houses are the most famous and characteristic symbol of Cuenca. They are buildings that literally hang over the abyss, on the edge of a rocky cliff, over which the city towers. Their origin is unclear, but they probably date back to the Middle Ages, when the inhabitants of Cuenca used every piece of land to build their houses. Some believe that the Hanging Houses were part of the city walls, and others, that they were workshops or warehouses of craftsmen.




Of the original Hanging Houses, which covered the entire wall of the river Huécar gorge, only three have survived, which were restored in the 20th century. They are buildings from the period of popular Gothic, built of stone, brick and wood. Each of them has a large, wooden balcony, which protrudes over the abyss, creating an amazing view. Inside the Hanging Houses there are currently the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art and a restaurant.




The museum, founded in 1966, is one of the first and most important museums of contemporary art in Spain. It has collected more than 120 works of Spanish abstract artists, such as Eduardo Chillida, Antoni Tàpies, Pablo Palazuelo or Fernando Zóbel. The restaurant, opened in 1968, offers traditional regional cuisine, with a view of the river and the bridge of St. Paul.




The Hanging Houses are one of the most photographed and admired places in Cuenca. You can see them from different viewpoints, such as the bridge of St. Paul, the Manganese square, or the San Julián park. You can also enter inside and visit the museum or eat at the restaurant. In any case, the Hanging Houses are an unforgettable experience, which shows how people were able to adapt to the difficult and extraordinary landscape.