La Coruña has many opportunities for residents and tourists. There is a monumental area with plenty of churches and buildings, but many of the main attractions are outside the historical centre. It is said that the best way to discover this city is to wander and see where you end up, as there is so much to see. It is advisable to follow one of the three tourist trails. The first is the old historical one, the second is more focused on the gastronomy and the third is called the Picasso route, after the artist who lived here for several years.
The Medieval district and old town
The old city still has some of the original Roman walls surrounding it. In the old city, there are three major churches of importance. One is one of La Coruña’s oldest buildings, the Iglesia de Santiago which dates back to the 12th century, but had changes made to it during the 14th and 15th centuries and has generally gothic features. The Iglesia de Santa Maria del Campo, sitting at the highest point of the city is another important church constructed between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. It has a museum archive next to it which is well known in Spain. Like many Spanish churches in the region, it is a mix of architectural influences and this one has Romanesque and Gothic features. The third in this group of churches is the convent of Santa Domingo, which has a chapel dedicated to the patron of the city, La virgen del Rosario. They are all located within a short distance of each other. Away from the church theme, but still in the old city, you are able to visit the houses of Emilia Pardo Bazan, a Galizian writer and Rosalia del Castro, a poet. The well known Constitutional Square is close by, where you will find a military building facing it.
Maria Pita square
This is considered to be the main square of the city, where you will find the town hall and the Council Building, some of the most ornate architecture in the city. It is often used for concerts and fairs and tourists are able to soak up the atmosphere at any of the numerous bars and cafes dotted around.
The promenade
This is where to head for the city’s most prominent tourist attractions. It is an ongoing project with the hope that it will one day extend around the whole of the city, with a length of 8 miles. Attractions on the Promenade include Castillo de San Anton which is now a museum. You will also find the Tower of Hercules (see below for more information) and the main port of La Coruña.
The Tower of Hercules
This lighthouse is a gem of La Coruña. Dating back to Roman Times, there are many myths surrounding how it came about (and more importantly why it is called the Tower of Hercules) and this famous tower is situated not far from the city centre, and is very pronounced, standing high on the headland, dominating the landscape. Climb to the top to experience breathtaking views over the city and the surrounding area.
Cosa stai cercando a La Coruņa?
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