Escalinata Cesar Davila Reopens April 9 After Major Renovation

The Escalinata Is Almost Back

One of Cuenca's most recognizable landmarks is about to reopen. The Escalinata Cesar Davila Andrade -- the iconic staircase connecting the Centro Historico to El Ejido across the Tomebamba River -- will reopen on April 9 after months of extensive renovation work. The project is now reported to be over 90% complete, with finishing touches being applied before the public reopening.

What Is the Escalinata?

If you've walked along the Tomebamba River, you've seen it. The Escalinata is the dramatic staircase that descends from the edge of the historic center (in front of the University of Cuenca) down to the El Ejido neighborhood below. It's named after Cesar Davila Andrade, one of Ecuador's most important poets, who was born in Cuenca in 1918.

The staircase is roughly 40 years old and has become one of Cuenca's most photographed spots. It connects two distinct levels of the city -- the colonial center above and the more modern El Ejido below -- and serves as both a practical pedestrian route and a scenic overlook.

The Escalinata has been renovated before, in 2002 and 2012, but this current project is the most comprehensive upgrade it has received.

What's New

The renovation has transformed the Escalinata with significant improvements:

• Andesite stone replacing wood -- the original wooden elements have been replaced with andesite stone, a volcanic rock that's more durable and weather-resistant. This is a material you see throughout Cuenca's historic architecture, so it ties the Escalinata visually to the buildings above it
• LED-lit handrails -- the new handrails incorporate LED lighting, which will illuminate the staircase at night. This is both an aesthetic upgrade (it's going to look stunning after dark) and a practical safety improvement
• Podotactile bands for the visually impaired -- textured guide strips have been installed along the staircase to assist people with visual impairments. This is a meaningful accessibility improvement that Cuenca's public infrastructure has historically lacked
• Renovated restrooms -- the public restrooms at the Escalinata have been completely renovated. Anyone who used the old ones knows this was overdue
• Ornamental vegetation -- new landscaping with decorative plants and greenery integrated into the staircase design

The Poet Behind the Name

Cesar Davila Andrade (1918-1967) is considered one of Ecuador's greatest poets and one of the most important literary figures in Latin American letters. Born in Cuenca, he spent much of his life between Ecuador and Venezuela, producing poetry that blended surrealism with deep Andean imagery. His most famous work, "Boletin y Elegia de las Mitas," is a devastating account of the exploitation of indigenous peoples during the colonial era.

Davila Andrade's life was marked by brilliance and tragedy -- he died by suicide in Caracas at age 49. Naming the Escalinata after him connects one of the city's most prominent public spaces to one of its most important cultural figures.

What This Means for Expats

• The Escalinata reopens April 9. If you've been detouring around the construction, you'll soon have this pedestrian route back. It's one of the most direct connections between Centro and El Ejido on foot
• Visit at night once it reopens. The new LED-lit handrails should make the Escalinata one of the most visually striking spots in the city after dark. Bring your camera
• The accessibility improvements are welcome. If you have mobility challenges or know someone who does, the new podotactile bands and improved surfaces make the Escalinata more usable for more people
• This is a great photo opportunity. The combination of andesite stone, new vegetation, and LED lighting is going to make the Escalinata even more photogenic than it already was. If you have visitors coming to Cuenca, put it on the list
• The area around the Escalinata -- both at the top (near the University of Cuenca) and the bottom (El Ejido side) -- has restaurants, cafes, and galleries. Make a visit to the reopened staircase part of a longer walk along the Tomebamba
• Expect crowds on opening day and the first weekend. Cuencanos love the Escalinata, and the reopening will draw attention. If you want a quieter experience, visit the following week

The Escalinata has been part of Cuenca's identity for four decades. With this renovation, it's getting the upgrade it deserves -- and it's going to be better than before.

Source: El Mercurio