A Coruña, the city of glass

The maritime city of A Coruña is one of the best known treasures of Galicia. It holds many legends related to its origin, as well as outstanding beaches and monuments that make it an ideal place to visit.

A glimpse of its history

A Coruña has a rich and interesting history, dating back to pre-Roman times, as we know thanks to settlements such as the Castro de Elviña, where the artabrians lived in the estuary of A Coruña and Ferrol.

Its origin is surrounded by several legends. The first says that the hero Hercules, demigod son of Zeus, was the founder of the city. Another affirms that this title corresponds to Brigo, great-grandson of Noah. Finally, the writer and historian Manuel Murguía promoted one that linked the birth of the city to the Celtic leader Breogán.

Myths aside, the earliest written records date back to 62 BC, when a Roman squadron from Julius Caesar’ s army arrived at what was called Brigantium or Brigantum. However, historians debate whether this name referred to this town or to another area closer to Betanzos.

During the 1st and 2nd centuries, the Romans built the Tower of Hercules, the oldest functioning Roman lighthouse in the world, which was located in the port of Brigantium.

This construction has also been associated with legends, such as the one that Hercules raised it over the corpse of his enemy Geryon, or that the Celt Breogan built it to see the British coasts.

This period was a time of great splendor in Roman A Coruña, which took advantage of its location to establish commercial relations.

In the Middle Ages, the city experienced periods of Arab occupation and faced attack by the Vikings. In fact, these attacks caused the depopulation of the area, which moved to a more protected territory in the Ría do Burgo, in what is now Culleredo. In 1208, King Alfonso IX prevented its disappearance, ordering its refoundation and granting it economic privileges.

A Coruña obtained the title of city in 1446 and the Catholic kings instituted a court of justice.

Already in the Modern Age, it became an important trade center, especially with the American continent. King Charles I established the Casa de Contratación for the spice trade and the Castillo de San Antón to protect it.

During the 16th century, the city was attacked by Admiral Francis Drake, sent by the Queen of England. The neighbors defended themselves against the invader, led by the heroine María Pita. At this time, the Royal Court was also transferred from Santiago de Compostela.

In the 19th century, the city experienced great demographic and economic growth, but also faced challenges such as the War of Independence and the Spanish Civil War. During the course of the latter, A Coruña became a focus of Republican resistance, but was taken by the rebels.

During the Franco regime, the city continued to grow little by little. New neighborhoods were built and industry expanded. With the arrival of democracy, it continued to develop, with a focus on the service sector and a boom in port activity.

Urban expansion has continued in recent decades, with the construction of the Paseo Marítimo, the creation of museums and other cultural and sports projects. Today, A Coruña is a modern and vibrant city, the second most populated in Galicia.

the must-sees of a coruña

In A Coruña, as a result of its varied history, there are a large number of places that anyone should visit the first time they pass through the city. We have made a list of the essential ones, so that you don’t miss the jewels it has to offer.

tower of hercules

The Tower of Hercules is one of the most emblematic and well-known monuments of A Coruña. It is the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world still in service, a relic of a distant era still standing.

It is located on the north coast of the peninsula of A Coruña and around it there is a large park called Parque Escultórico da Torre de Hércules.

It has been on the World Heritage List since 2009.

maria pita square

The Plaza de María Pita is one of the most central squares of the city, dedicated to the heroine María Pita and where the City Hall is located, a modernist palace built between 1908 and 1912. This is one of the most visited places by tourists, both for its architecture and the abundance of terrace.

If you visit this square, you cannot miss the statue dedicated to María Pita made by Xosé Castiñeiras.

promenade

The promenade of A Coruña is a very famous and beautiful route. It covers about 14 kilometers through which you will see different beaches and cliffs and you will pass by outstanding places of the city, such as the Castle of San Antón or the Sculpture Park of the Tower of Hercules.

This tour is ideal for walking, jogging or biking and contemplating the beauty of the urban landscapes and the Atlantic coast.

“A Coruña Promenade” by Georgiño is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

old city

The Old City of A Coruña is a window into the city’s past. You can stroll through its narrow streets and discover different churches or emblematic period buildings, such as the Cornide House or the Garden of San Carlos.

It also has a very cozy atmosphere, as there are numerous cafes, taverns, stores or establishments that have their own charm.

“File:Azcarraga 09015TM.jpg” by FirkinCat is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

riazor beach

The most famous beach in this city is, without a doubt, Riazor. It has a very characteristic shell-shaped silhouette and the well-known promenade runs along it. It is located in the cove of Orzán and has a blue flag, making it ideal for a dip in summer next to the center.

galleries of the marina

The Galerías de la Marina are, together with the Tower of Hercules, another of the symbols of A Coruña. This architectural complex was built between 1870 and 1884 and, although it looks stately, it is located in the old neighborhood of the Pescadería, of humble class.

In fact, these galleries were used to moor the ships in the port and protect them in stormy weather. They also served to protect the facades from rain and to capture heat during the winter.

Over the years, the fishermen’s dwellings were transformed into what we know today, but they maintain their essence.

castro de elviña

The Castro de Elviña is a prehistoric settlement, a vestige of the civilization that inhabited the area long before A Coruña existed. It was inhabited between the third century B.C. and the fourth century A.D. It has three walled enclosures.

This place is perfect to take a glimpse into our distant past and see how the artabrian people lived.

gastronomy and leisure

A Coruña is a city of the sea, therefore, its gastronomy is also closely linked to it. Thus, this city has many restaurants where visitors can try local and fresh dishes, such as hake, seafood, grilled crayfish or mussels.

As a Galician city, it also participates in the so-called Atlantic cuisine, with delicacies such as Galician broth, grilled meat or potato omelette Betanzos style (undercooked).

events and festivals

In this city, the most famous festivities are the Carnival or Entroido Coruñés, the festivities of San Juan, the festivities of Carmen and the festivities of María Pita.

The entroido in A Coruña

During the Carnival or Entroido, the city of A Coruña fills its streets with music by the comparsas. They begin with the enthronement of the god Momo and end with the classic burial of the sardine during Ash Wednesday.

the feast of st. john’s day

The famous festivities of San Juan, celebrated throughout Spain, are especially well known in this city. They are celebrated on the night of June 23-24, the shortest night of the year, and the beaches of A Coruña are filled with bright bonfires. According to tradition, the meigas approach them to make wishes.

This celebration has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest and it is very common to take advantage of the celebration to have a sardinada.

carmen festivities

The Carmen festivitiesare celebrated during the month of July and dye the city’s boats with color. These boats are filled with flowers to go in procession through the fishing ports of the area and offer their offerings to the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of sailors.

maria pita festivities

The festivities of María Pita are the biggest and best known of the city’s festivities. As the name says, they are dedicated to the heroine María Pita, who defended A Coruña from the English attack in the 16th century.

For a month, the city is filled with concerts, fairs and activities for the enjoyment of locals and tourists.