A Coruña, set on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian peninsula, belongs to the autonomous community of Galicia.
The first settlers were the Artabri, a Celtic tribe.
Later, in the first century BC, the Romans founded a colony known as “Brigantium”, with a renowned sea port that even had a lighthouse for sailors, built under the Emperor Trajan and known as the Tower of Hercules. It is the oldest working lighthouse in the world.
During the Middle Ages, the city was targeted in the Viking raids in Galicia.
In the 16th century, A Coruña was the setting of the defence against the English Armada led by Francis Drake, where heroine María Pita shouted “whoever has honour, follow me" and stopped the city from being taken.
The humanitarian-inspired Balmis Expedition sailed from A Coruña in 1803 to vaccinate American and Asian populations against smallpox.
During the Peninsular War, A Coruña stood against Napoleon and was the setting of the Battle of Elviña.
What does the city feature?
The city features the Romanesque Church of Santiago, the Santa María del Campo Collegiate Church, a Romanesque temple finished in the gothic period, the gothic Church of San Francisco, Santo Domingo Church, the San Jorge and San Nicolás Baroque churches, and the San Antón Castle built by Charles I.
The town hall dominates the great 19th century María Pita square. The Casa Cornide family mansion and the San Agustín market are also in the city.
A Coruña is peppered with museums including the Fine Art Museum, the Domus, the Regional Military Museum, the National Museum of Science and Technology, the Archaeological and History Museum and a spectacular aquarium.
What stands out in the surrounding area?
In A Coruña, the beaches of Riazor, Orzán and Matadero are particularly noteworthy, as is the As Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo Biosphere Reserve.
A Coruña is also home to the Méndez Núñez and the San Carlos Gardens, as well as the Santa Margarita Park, the San Pedro Park and the Bens Park, among others.
Also worth mentioning are the glass balconies along the Avenida de la Marina and the promenade, which gave the city its nickname, the balcony over the Atlantic.
What towns are there to visit within the province?
Within the province is the city of Santiago de Compostela, the end of all the pilgrimage routes that meet there. Finisterre, which the Romans considered the end of the word, and other towns such as Betanzos, Ferrol, Cedeira and Padrón are also in this province.
Who are some noteworthy public figures from A Coruña?
Throughout its history, A Coruña has had some significant public figures. Among them are writer Emilia Pardo Bazán, singer Luz Casal, writer Camilo José Cela, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, poet Rosalía de Castro and businessman Amancio Ortega, from León, who opened his first Zara store in this city.
What traditions are worth highlighting?
Among its traditions, it is the Muñeira folk dance and the bagpipes that stand out. During the San Juan festival, bonfires are lit on the beaches to celebrate the summer solstice. The Galician sea mists fuel the legends of the Holy Company and the witches, with the popular saying, “I don't believe in witches; but they do exist”.
What delicacies can be enjoyed in A Coruña?
Galician cuisine is famous for its shellfish, lobsters, spider crabs, barnacles and oysters. Its molluscs, mussels, cockles and scallops. Not to mention the fish, hake and turbot.
Its cuisine includes traditional dishes such as pulpo a la gallega (octopus served with sliced potatoes), steamed mussels and caldeirada (a Galician fish stew). Other typical dishes include caldo gallego (a Galician broth), empanada, pork shoulder with turnip greens and boiled potatoes, the Betanzos omelette, Padrón peppers, where “some are hot and others are not” and, of course, the Tarta de Santiago, a cake made with almonds.
All this can be accompanied by wines with a Rías Baixas, Ribeira Sacra, Ribeiro, Valdeorras or Monterey designation of origin.
Documented by Celia Roldán Pazos