Travel Guide Chordeleg

45 km from Cuenca and about 5 km from Gualaceo, at an altitude of 2,390 m. A little more than 11,000 inhabitants. Chorgeleg is a mixture of the heritages of the Cañar and Spanish civilizations and has preserved its cultural wealth and traditions, which can be seen in the local crafts. It is in fact the most important handicraft center in the province. The word cañari Chordeleg is divided into two parts: Choc or Shor which means "pit" (or "burial") and delig, "plain". The whole can be translated as "plain - or field - of burial".The Cañari culture flourished here and developed during the Tacalshapa II period (500 years AD). Worshippers of the Sun and the Moon, the Cañaris left their traces in cities such as Cañaribamba, the holy city of Tomebamba, temples and a palace decorated with black marble. Their burials, dug sometimes to a depth of 4 meters, have yielded astonishing riches: pectorals, diadems, ceramic vessels and all kinds of jewelry remarkably worked. Some of these objects are made of an alloy of gold and silver. Chordeleg has remained famous for its jewellery workshops, especially goldsmith's, and ceramics (especially miniatures). The town has become very touristy, with almost as many jewellery shops as private houses, and has become famous for its filigree earrings. A very meticulous goldsmithing technique.