Cuenca is a vibrant city set in the Ecuadorian Highlands, and is the capital of the Azuay Province. Ancient history tells of an impressive Incan centre with the finest temples covered in gold sheets and magnificent palaces, but little remains of this glory. The town’s present-day charm is due largely to its impressive colonial architecture, cobbled streets, plazas, and churches – including the blue-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception – and its setting above the grassy banks of the Rio Tomebamba. The town centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and is a popular place of inspiration for writers, poets, and artists.