Culebrillas Lagoon

 [Laguna de Culebrillas] [Photography]. (n.d.). Viajandox. Info Laguna de Culebrillas |Cañar - Cañar, Ecuador (viajandox.com)

It is considered a sacred lagoon in the beautiful Culebrillas ("Laguna de Culebrillas," n.d.). The landscape of this place consists of pine trees and a path full of grasslands, chuquiraguas, broom, and wildflowers. This lagoon is fabulous because, as mentioned before, it is a sacred lagoon for the Cañari culture. It is located at the bottom of the Yanahurco hill or "Cerro Negro", near Cañar city ("Laguna Culebrillas," n.d.). In the surroundings of Culebrillas lagoons, there are several stone residential foundations, which evidence the presence of the Cañari-Inca cultures many years ago. So, it is a place of history too. It sounds like a magic place, doesn't it?

It is 28 kilometers from Cañar city center. You can go there by car, or go hiking. The weather is generally so cold, so wear warm clothes and wear rubber boots or appropriate shoes. What are you waiting for visiting it; Culebrillas is waiting for you!

 [Laguna Culebrillas] [Photography]. (n.d.). Planet Andes. Laguna Culebrillas, Ecuador. Camino Inca. Caminatas. Atracciones - PlanetAndes

The river that feeds the lagoon is shaped like a path traced by the mythical Cañari snake.

Reference

Laguna Culebrillas. (n.d.). GoRaymi. Retrieved Jun 27, 2021, from https://www.goraymi.com/es-ec/canar/canar/lagunas/laguna-culebrillas-a0e9c6e34

Laguna de culebrillas. (n.d.). Prefectura Cañar. Retrieved Jun 27, 2021, from http://www.gobiernodelcanar.gob.ec/public_html/paginas/laguna-de-culebrillas.79

  Virgen del Rocío Sanctuary

zug55. (2011). [Biblián: Santuario de la Virgen del Rocío][Photograph]. Flickr. zug55 | Flickr

[Santuario de la Virgen del Rocío][Photograph]. (2018). Cañar - blogspot.com. ~ historia cañar (fernandon92.blogspot.com)

 

 

 

Cayambe. (2010). [Archivo: Biblián Santuario de la Virgen del Rocío 02.jpg][Photograph]. Wikipedia. Archivo:Biblián Santuario de la Virgen del Rocío 02.jpg - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Visiting Virgen del Rocío is an excellent option, especially for catholic people. This Sanctuary is located in Biblian city, on a hill called Zhalao. It is easy to see this spectacular and big church from the Biblian city center. Also, it is attractive for people of all Ecuador, not only Cañar province. According to "Santuario de la Virgen del Rocío" (n.d.), the Sanctuary style, which is neogothic, represents an architectural landmark. For that reason, in 2007, it was declared part of the Ecuadorian Cultural Heritage. 

[Cúpula del Santuario][Photograpg]. (n.n.). Mancomunidad Cañari. Mancomunidad del Pueblo Cañari (mancomunidadcanari.gob.ec)

[Santuario de la Virgen del Rocío Biblian][Photograph]. (n.d.). iWaNa Trip. Santuario de la Virgen del Rocío - Biblián (iwanatrip.com)

Furthermore, there is a natural viewpoint at the top of Zhalao, behind the sanctuary. It is an open space where there is a small church. After visiting Virgen del Rocío, tourists walk up the hill to get there and enjoy the marvelous view. From there, you can see Azogues and Biblian city. My recommendation is to go there at night. The landscape is better at night, is it not? Well, I actually believe that. However, the weather is so cold, take that into account. Remember, you are more than welcome to visit this beautiful place!

References

Info Santuario de la virgen del ROCÍO: Biblián-cañar, ecuador. (n.d.). ViajandoX. Retrieved June 26, 2021 from https://ec.viajandox.com/biblian/santuario-de-la-virgen-del-rocio-A740

 Thermal Springs - Guapán

Guapán is a parish located north of Azogues. Twenty minutes from this city, we find the thermal springs, which were discovered 30 years ago. People used to take advantage of this natural resource to relax and treat their physical ailments (ctv, 2015). Nowadays, people go there, especially at Carnival. So, although the days are cold, the water is warm, and they can have a great time. However, tourists who visit Guapán thermal springs do not look for special days to go there. 

[Complejo turístico Guapán][Photograph]. (2017). Cañar Televisión. Guapán cuenta con complejo turístico | NOTICIAS DE AZOGUES Y ECUADOR (canartelevision.com)

[Laguna de Guapán][Photograph].(2018). Maps123.net. Complejo de Aguas Termales de Guapan, Cantón Azogues, Cañar (maps123.net)

 

[Parque de Guapán][Photograph].(2018). Maps123.net. Complejo de Aguas Termales de Guapan, Cantón Azogues, Cañar (maps123.net)

 You maybe are wondering why these thermal springs are a tourist place. Well, there is a lake that comes from the springs, and a park too. They also attract people to visit the Guapán center. They are large and surrounded by green areas. Also, there are a couple of restaurants nearby where you can eat traditional and fast food. You can visit Guapán thermal springs whenever you want. You will fall in love with it.

Referencias

Ctv. (2015, December 29). Aguas termales de Guapán son un atractivo turístico. Cañar Televisión. https://www.canartelevision.com/?p=1972

 

Olleros de Jatumpamba

[Cerámica de Jatumpamba] [Photography]. (n.d.). Viajandox. Información Cerámica de Jatumpamba Azogues (viajandox.com) 

Jatumpamba is a place of history and work. It is located in the Parish San Miguel de Porotos, in the community of Olleros. This area is unique since people from here make clay items, mainly pots. The pots are made with an old technique with baked clay; it is known as "hitters or huactanas".  This practice was created by the ancestors originating from these areas ("Ceramica de Jatumpamba," n.d.).

Castillo, L. (2016). [La alfarería perdura en comunidades de Cañar] [Photography]. Lideres. Las técnicas ancestrales de alfarería continúan | Revista Líderes (revistalideres.ec)

Also, there are pans, flower pots, cups, and other items made from clay. These exceptional products are beautiful and have incredible purposes. They have a practical use to cook or to decore your home. They can be purchased in Cuenca, Azogues, Gualaceo, and Paute markets. Its method of transport is known as "Linche," which consists of rope netting ("Ceramica de Jatumpamba," n.d.).

So, when you are in the province of Cañar, do not hesitate, come, buy these clay items, and visit Jatumpamba. It is a magnificent place with a lot of culture and beauty.

Reference

Ceramica de Jatumpamba. (n.d.). Viajandox. Retrieved Jun 20, 2021, from https://ec.viajandox.com/azogues/ceramica-de-jatumpamba-A734

Chocar Lake

 Rojas, B. (n.d.). [Vía a Luis Cordero] [Photograph]. Mapio.net. Luis Cordero | Mapio.net 

Landin, D. (2015). [#AmanecerEc][Photograph]. Scoopnest. En este AmanecerEc nos acompaña una preciosa postal de la Laguna de Chocar en Azogues . | El Comercio | Scoopnest

Chocar is one of the most beautiful lakes in Cañar province. Its name is due to a bush that grows near the lake. It is artificial and is located in an agricultural zone where people can see cattle animals. There is a vast green plain around Chocar. So, it is possible to camp, walk, run, or even reflect there. This lake is in Matrama-Luis Cordero, which is a small town near Azogues. If you are in this city, it will take 20 minutes to get to Chocar ("TURISMO ECOLÓGICO," 2018). 

 

 [¡Impulsamos Proyecto Turístico de Chocar!][Photograph].(2021). Municipio de Azogues - Facebook. ¡Impulsamos Proyecto Turístico de... - Municipio de Azogues | Facebook

Currently, a project is being developed by Azogues municipality to promote Chocar as a tourist destination. The principal of the city, who is in charge of the project, wants people to visit the lake and have a delightful time there.

It is a great option to go with your family or friends. So, would you not like to know the beautiful Chocar?

Reference

ZAAG. (2018, February 7). Home [Facebook page]. Site name. Retrieved June 18, 2021 from https://www.facebook.com/zaagEC/posts/150274998970138/

Ingapirca

 [Complejo arqueologico de Ingapirca] [Photography]. (n.d.). Viajandox. Info Complejo Arqueológico de Ingapirca | Cañar - Ecuador (viajandox.com)

Alred, K. (n.d.). [Ingaprca un paseo espectacular para hacer con los niños] [Photography]. Chiquitosybebes. Ruinas de Ingapirca, como llegar y el súper plan con los niños. (chiquitosybebes.com)

In the province of Cañar, in the south of the country, at 3,160 meters above sea level and 16 km from the Cañar city, stands the most important archaeological construction of Inca origin in the current Republic of Ecuador. It is an authentically Inca-Cañari construction, which was built at the beginning of the 16th century ("Ingapirca," 2021). 

Ingapirca had been an observatory of the sun and the moon. It was shortly before the arrival of the Spanish people. 

This archaeological site is recognized since the middle of the 18th century. There are references to Cañar Valley, the place where this structure was found in the 16th century. At that time, it was known as the province of Hatun Cañar (Quichua: Hatun Kañar), which means "the great place of the Cañariz"

It is a place full of history and interesting facts. You can visit it to learn and have a great time with friends or family. Also, you can buy beautiful souvenirs there. 

Map from Ingapirca

Duijn. (2016). [Mapa de Ingapirca, monumento arqueológico] [Photography]. Wikipedia. Ingapirca - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Reference

Ingapirca. (2021, Jun 22). In Wikipedia. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingapirca