The arrival of the Romans to our Peninsula left many works and monuments that are still preserved today. The construction ingenuity of these Romans has created buildings that are still in perfect condition, such as the Tower of Hercules located on a hill in the city of A Coruña in Galicia.
This lighthouse and fortification is a great tower that rises in front of the sea. Today it is one of the symbols of the city of A Coruña, and has a great history behind it. We are going to know this monument and what we can see in this city in the north of Galicia.
Information of the Tower of Hercules
This tower is located in the city of A Coruña, located on a small hill overlooking the sea. It is about 50 meters above sea level and around it is the Sculpture Park of the Tower of Hercules, which is an open-air museum. Ticket sales are made at the Visitor Information and Attention Center, from 9.45 am to 17.15 pm. On Mondays the entrance is free but you have to pick it up anyway at this center.
El access to the tower is done in strips of 15 minutes in groups of a maximum of 17 people. We must know that to get to the top you have to climb more than two hundred steps, so you have to be willing to do a little exercise.
Mythology associated with the tower
There are different legends that are associated with this tower. One of the most used is that of Hercules, who used that place to bury the head of the giant Geryon after beating him in combat. It is also said that this place would have been the Tower of Breogán from Irish mythology, from which the son of Breogán, Ith would have visualized the coasts of Ireland.
History of the Tower of Hercules
Its origin is unknown, as it is a tower that was rebuilt by the Romans in the XNUMXst century AD. It was originally built as a navigation lighthouse due to its location. It took place during the reigns of Nero and Vespasian. The Roman construction at present can only be seen from the inside, since during the XNUMXth century it was restored in a neoclassical style that can be seen from the outside. In its beginnings it was a rectangular tower with asymmetric windows. The upper part was added later and apparently during the Middle Ages it served more as a defensive tower than as a lighthouse.
This lighthouse was declared World Heritage Site in 2007. In 2008 it was twinned with the famous Statue of Liberty in New York and later with the Morro de la Habana Lighthouse, the oldest in all of America.
Visit the Tower of Hercules
La tower has a height of 55 meters and it can be easily seen from various points of the city. It is located in a quiet area, surrounded by a sculpture park that offers a great space to stroll and enjoy the seascape before entering the tower.
When we get to the tower we will have to walk 234 steps to reach the top. Inside you can see the Roman walls of the old square tower, today covered by the neoclassical façade. In the remodeling an interior stone staircase is built. Apparently the previous staircase of the Roman tower had sections on the outside and was made of wood. From the base and going through all the steps you reach the viewpoint, from which there are spectacular views of A Coruña.
This lighthouse is still in operation, and every night its work begins. You can see how the lighthouse fires four flashes at 20 second intervals. These flashes reach 24 miles at sea. On foggy days it also has an audible signal. It is undoubtedly a great Roman work that has proven its worth over two thousand years.
What to see in A Coruña
As we travel to see the spectacular Tower of Hercules, we can visit the city of A Coruña. The wind rose It is located near the tower and is a large mosaic like a compass. This city also has an urban beach, Playa de Riazor, which stands out for having all kinds of services, with a great promenade and also with a lot of waves depending on the day.
La Maria Pita Square it is the center of the city, where you can enjoy the best atmosphere. In the Plaza de Lugo Market you can buy the best seafood and fish from the estuaries that make Galician gastronomy so famous. You also have to enjoy the views offered by the modern Mirador de San Pedro, going up by car or on the particular round funicular that attracts all eyes.