The historic port city of La Coruna is situated beside the Atlantic Ocean in a peninsula. It is the capital of the province of the same name. The city is an interesting Romanesque collection of streets, squares and medieval churches.The coastal area that surrounds the Old City is a mixture of traditional and modern architecture.
Beside the port are the houses with white glazed galleries, which have earned the city its name “Glass City”.
A Little Bit of History
According to local tradition, this city was founded by Hercules and the city has records dating back to Celtic and Phoenician times.
The View of La Coruna
It was a mere fishermen’s settlement until it was conquered by Julius Caesar, who helped it to grow into a commercial port. Thus the sea trade of the area increased.
As the locals were very resistant to Moorish occupation, their occupation here was for only a very short period.
This settlement was recognized as a city in 1446. Phillip II dispatched the Spanish Armanda to attack the British in 1588.
Celtic Monuments, A Coruna
They left from La Coruna, but were defeated soundly and the town suffered. However, the Spanish Armanda defeated the army of Sir Francis Drake from London.
The 1800s was the booming period for La Coruna, when it developed in population, urbanization and industrialization.
Festival of San Juan, Carnival and the Medieval Market are a few popular celebrations of this region.
Maria Pita Square, La Coruna
Zara, the global village high fashion brand was born here and you can visit the first Zara store in La Coruna. This city is also home to the world’s second largest textile company, Inditex.
Where is La Coruna?
- 31.7 miles/ 51.1 km from Ferrol, Spain
- 82 miles/ 132 km from Galicia, Spain
- 154.7 miles/ 249 km from Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- 159.6 miles/ 257 km from Braga, Portugal
- 98.7 miles/ 159 km from Vigo, Spain
- 367.2 miles/ 591 km from Madrid, Spain
- 6.2 miles/ 10.1 km from La Coruna Airport, Spain
- 42.5 miles/ 68.5 km form Santiago de Compostela Airport, Spain
- 100 miles/ 161 km from Vigo Airport, Spain
Things to See
The Castle of San Anton, La Coruna
- Tower of Hercules
- The Castle of San Anton
- Santiago Church
- Monte de San Pedro
- Collegiate Church
- Science and Technology Museum
- The Aquarium Finisterrae
- Domus – House of Man
- Fine Arts Museum
- Promenade
Beaches
- Das Lapas
- Lazaretto o’ Oza
- Riazor Beach
- Do Matadeiro Beach
- Orzan Beach
- San Amaro
Excursions
- Ferrol
- Finistere
- Monfero
- Camino de Santiago
La Coruna is a handsome city, but it is somehow rough-hewn.
It is not a highly metropolitan city, but the city has the brashness of a big town, which thrives on manufacturing.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!