Well, you know I love La Coruña, but I want to spotlight one of my favorite things about it: La Torre de Hercules. (That’s Tower of Hercules in English.) If you Google La Coruña, most of the images you’ll find are of la Torre de Hercules. Why is it so cool though? Well, a few reasons.
Oldest Roman Lighthouse
La Torre de Hercules has kind of a whirlwind history, dating back to its construction in the 2nd century. Yes. This lighthouse was built between the year 100 – 200 and is still functioning!!! Tell me I’m not the only one who finds this impressive. Sure, it was renovated a few times, because Galicia came under fire each time the land went under new ownership, but still. It’s the oldest Roman lighthouse in use, and that’s pretty dang cool.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Yes, la Torre de Hercules is a UNESCO World Heritage site as of 2009. I know, I know, what does that mean? Well, UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO does a lot of things, one of which is designate World Heritage sites. Basically, sites of cultural or national importance are named once yearly and then protected by the UN. It’s kind of like having protection and preservation status. As I’m writing this, there are 1,092 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 47 of those are in Spain! Spain also has 28 on the tentative list, which can eventually be nominated and chosen as World Heritage Sites.
It’s Has It’s Own Park
Well, of course la Torre de Hercules has its own park! It’s a lighthouse, surrounded by greenery! The piece of land – sorry, cliff – Torre de Hercules sits on is now home to several walking and biking paths, scenic overlooks and even benches designed for you to lay back and relax. There are several sculptures on the park as well, more than I was able to photograph. Each has a different meaning, either related to history, legend or built in someone’s honor.
Sculpture dedicated to people shot during Franco’s dictatorship. 
The Menhires: a group of 12 sculptures that represents a family. It’s super cool! 
Close-up of the Menhires. 
Each stone has an opening to see the tower, the sea and the sunset. 
Copa do Sol, which gathers the sun as the sun travels from east to west. 
The Ship of Stone, with Hercules riding it. 
You Can Climb It
I’m afraid of heights and admittedly have a love-hate relationship with climbing staircases, but I can’t pass up a good view. Naturally, I’ve climbed it each visit because the views of La Coruña are stunning, even on a grey day like this one was.
View from the top of the lighthouse! 
Looking to the left from the top 
View of the seal and the compass on the ground below 
View to the left from the top 
The leaning tower of Hercules? Bad joke, I know.
I would venture to say la Torre de Hercules is probably the number one tourist attraction in La Coruña, so if you’re in town, you can’t miss it! If you do decide to visit, be sure to grab the PDF about the Torre de Hercules and park here! They have it available in several languages.
Have you been there and climbed it?
Pin this for later!
