30 Giant Guinea Pig Sculptures Just Took Over Railroad Park — And They're Spectacular
Chip Moreno
Yes, Giant Guinea Pigs. Stay With Me.
If you haven't walked through Parque del Ferrocarril (Railroad Park) recently, you're missing out on one of the most delightful things happening in Cuenca right now.
The city's Municipal Culture Department has installed "Cuy Kuna" — a collection of 30 oversized guinea pig sculptures, each uniquely decorated by local artists to represent different aspects of Cuencan and Ecuadorian culture.
Before you raise an eyebrow: the cuy (guinea pig) is one of the most culturally significant animals in Andean tradition. It's been raised in Ecuador for thousands of years, plays a central role in traditional cuisine, and holds deep symbolic meaning in indigenous and mestizo culture. If any city was going to fill a park with artistic guinea pigs, it was going to be Cuenca.
What You'll See
Each of the 30 sculptures features a completely different artistic treatment. Some of the standout designs represent:
- The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — Cuenca's iconic blue-domed cathedral rendered on the body of a cuy. It's as wonderfully absurd as it sounds.
- Aya Huma — The symbolic masked figure from Andean festivals, a powerful cultural icon representing balance and the connection between worlds.
- Traditional Cuencan motifs — Patterns inspired by the city's colonial architecture, indigenous textiles, and natural landscapes.
Each sculpture uses different techniques — painting, mixed media, graphic design, and more. They're scattered throughout the park, creating a walking gallery experience where you discover each one as you stroll.
Where and When
- Location: Parque del Ferrocarril (Railroad Park), located along Avenida de las Américas near the old train station
- Cost: Free
- When to go: Anytime the park is open. Mornings are best for photos (good light, fewer crowds).
The park itself is worth a visit even without the sculptures — it's one of Cuenca's nicer green spaces, with wide paths, benches, and the historic train station as a backdrop.
Why This Is Worth Your Time
Public art in Cuenca tends to fly under the radar compared to the city's famous architecture and museums. But installations like Cuy Kuna are exactly the kind of thing that makes living here special:
- It's deeply local. This isn't generic public art that could be anywhere. It's rooted in Cuencan identity — the cuy, the cathedral, the Andean traditions. You won't see this in Quito or Guayaquil.
- It supports local artists. The project provides a platform for Cuencan creators to showcase their work in a high-visibility public setting.
- It's accessible. No tickets, no reservations, no dress code. Just show up and enjoy.
The Municipal Culture Department describes the project as a way to "dynamize public spaces and promote artist participation through art as a tool for identity and civic engagement." That's bureaucrat-speak for: they want to make the parks more interesting and give local artists a stage. Mission accomplished.
A Quick Cultural Note for Newcomers
If you're new to Ecuador and haven't tried cuy yet — you'll inevitably be invited to. It's traditionally roasted whole and served as a special-occasion dish, particularly in the sierra (highland) region. Opinions among expats range from "surprisingly delicious" to "I'll stick with pollo, thanks." Either way, you'll appreciate the sculptures more once you understand just how deeply the humble guinea pig is woven into the culture here.
Grab a coffee from one of the cafés near the park and take a walk through. It's one of those uniquely Cuencan experiences that reminds you why you chose this city.
Source: El Mercurio
