The city of A Coruña is located on a peninsula in the northwest corner of Spain, in the province of Galicia. It is the second largest city in Galicia, and has a bustling port that is the second largest in the country. Although Galicia is not a region widely visited by foreigners, many Spaniards will tell you that they consider it to be the most beautiful part of Spain, with its lush, green landscapes and rugged shoreline dotted with towns and villages whose livelihood is tied to the sea.
Visitors to A Coruña will want to start with the Tower of Hercules, which is the oldest working lighthouse in the world. It was built by the Romans 2,000 years ago, and those who dare to scale the 245 steps to the top will be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and the coastline. If a casual stroll along the shoreline is more your speed, then be sure to visit the Dársena de la Marina, which is Europe’s longest seaside promenade. You can take in the views of the lovely 18th C. homes built by the fisherman that arc around the harbor and gave A Coruña the nickname of “glass city” or “crystal city”, referring to the glass enclosed porches that were built to protect the homes from the wind and the rain.
Sites to see in the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) include the Plaza de María Pita, with a neoclassical Palacio Municipal (city hall) that was built in 1908. The Church of Santiago, built in the 12th C. in Romanesque style and later remodeled in Gothic style, is the city’s oldest church. Other sites include the 13th C. Iglesia de María del Campo, and the Museum of Archaeology, which is housed in the 16th C. Castillo de San Antón (St. Anthony’s Castle).
No visit to A Coruña or Galicia would be complete without enjoying a meal consisting of the local seafood that is caught daily by the local fisherman, which is surely to be the freshest seafood you will find anywhere, and will likely include varieties of shellfish that you haven’t seen before. For more information on La Coruña, click here.
Photo credit: Marrovi
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