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Charming Cuenca and Wines of Requena

Cuenca - a charming medieval town, the old part of which is located on a rocky ledge between two rivers, beauty and beauty among all the Castilian cities is second only to Toledo. The old part of the city with a literally hanging over the abyss houses is relatively small and is centered around the Gothic cathedral, located next to the Plaza Mayor.


The geographical position of Cuenca for many centuries determined the fate of this city and the entire region. Between the rivers Júcar and Huécar, at a dominant height of 956 meters above sea level, settlements could simply not arise. It arose - back in the pre-Roman times. When the Romans got there, they expertly assessed the strategic merits of this place, erected fortifications and left a small garrison in it. In 711 the village was captured by the Arabs and with pleasure settled in it, calling Kuvenka. Over time, carpet weaving, weaving began to flourish in the city, it produced wool and processed ivory. In the middle of the 12th century, the Arab geographer El Idrisi describes Cuenca as an ancient settlement next to an artificial lake, surrounded by well-fortified walls. In 1177, the Christian King Alfonso XVII seizes this mountain fortress, but in the life of the townspeople there is little change from this: they continue to breed livestock and cultivate lands in the valley.

 

True, if Jews, Arabs and Spaniards settled peacefully with the Moors in the city, then with the introduction of a new city code of laws, they began to quarrel, ending with the fact that the city was divided into ethnic zones. Muslims occupied quarters around the tower of Mangana, the Jews settled on Sapatieras Street, and the rest of the city was controlled by Christians. It follows from the annals that up to the 16th century the city was indecently rich in the production of wool, textiles and livestock. It was the funds allocated by the guilds of the merchants of wool and cattle that erected the episcopal palace, a number of monasteries, churches, and several schools. Attracted by money, artists and architects from all over Spain came to Cuenca in search of work, erecting beautiful buildings and palaces in it. In the XIX century, the city became the capital of the newly created administrative-territorial unit - the province of Cuenca. Nevertheless, despite its prestigious metropolitan status, it still remains a nice and charming provincial town, which attracts the attention of tourists.


On the way back, we will visit the ancient city of Requena. It is located 60 km from Valencia and goes into the interior of the province. The stones of his city wall take us back to the 12th century. BC Iberian settlements lived on the territory of the city, then came the Romans, they were replaced by Muslims and eventually the peasants settled. The name of Requena comes from the Arabic Rakkana, which means Strong. And it really was in the strategic plan an impregnable city. Its towers, thick walls of the fortress, and its advantageous location, on the hill in front of the Magro River valley, also speak of this. The fact that this city was important in the Middle Ages, we are also told and decorations on the houses and attractions such as the Palace of Cid, the church in the Gothic style of St. Mary and St. Nicholas and the Church of Salvador in the old district of the city. Until the middle of the XIX century, Requena was considered the manufacturer of silk, as its main industry. The situation has changed and since this moment the wine industry has developed and to this day this region is considered the most important in the province of Valencia for the production of high-quality wine. And accordingly, the cultivation of the vine here is the most important activity.

Price* of tour from Peñíscola, Castellón
1–3 people €275.
4–6 people €350.

Price* of tour from Valencia
1–3 people €230.
4–6 people €275.

Organizational Details

The duration of the tour takes an average of 4–8 hours. The itinerary can be changed a little: it depends on the time of your arrival and on where exactly your hotel is located in Barcelona. Traveling around Barcelona will be on our transport. Parking at the airport and on the route is included in the tour price. Please note that the tour does not include entrance fees and meals.
* The price does not include VAT (IVA) of 21% which is added upon non-cash settlement.

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