Cuenca is a spectacular historic city in Castilla-La Mancha, in central Spain, dramatically perched on a limestone spur between the gorges of the Huécar and Júcar rivers. Its traditional architecture is characterised by narrow, steep streets, stone houses, tiled roofs and, most famously, the extraordinary casas colgadas — the Hanging Houses — projecting over the Huécar gorge. The Gothic Cathedral, the remains of the medieval castle, and the old town’s churches and convents add to its architectural richness. The surrounding countryside is a mixture of pine forests, cereal fields, vineyards, olive groves and livestock pasture. What makes Cuenca different from similar historic Spanish towns is its remarkable setting: a compact medieval city seemingly suspended above two deep river gorges, combining dramatic natural scenery with an exceptionally well-preserved historic centre.