Museo del Banco Central, Cuenca is not only a grand museum but also an archaeological site and botanical garden in Cuenca. It is located in between 2 of the principal streets, in the north-central part of the city. Today Museo del Banco Central, Cuenca is not only a major attraction but also the pride and joy of the city.
The museum is set on a high hillside, from where one can have wonderful views of the surrounding. Constructed over the ruins of an Inca palace the museum itself covers several floors.
While one wing of the museum contains a substantial collection of pre-Columbian, colonial art the other is well known for its contemporary art. Together the two wings of the museum make it an impressive place to visit.
Museo del Banco Central, Cuenca is an ideal museum to get an overall picture of the history of Ecuador. In the museum one can have a cursory glance of the past. Right from the very first inhabitants, through the conquest, the colonial and republican periods, up to the contemporary period one can view and know it all in one go.
The exhibition in the museum includes ancient pieces, sculptures, paintings, utensils and all sorts of objects and art pieces from the first Ecuadorian settlers. One can simply walk through the typical dwellings simulating the various regions of Ecuador to an entire numismatic section that traces the evolution of the country's currency from spondylus shells to the now-defunct sucre.
The Tomebamba Hall is a special attraction in the city. In this room, you will get a glimpse of the Incas in Cuenca. One can also see the archaeological artifacts found in the area. After scanning the interiors one can walk behind the museum to see the actual archaeological site.
After this one can explore the beautiful botanical gardens and the adjacent small aviary.As this museum is huge one needs 2 to 3 hours to go around and see it. Groups of more than four people can ask for a free bilingual guide. A visit to the museum gives an excellent overview of the history of Ecuador.
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