Historic La Coruna, Galicia, Spain
Travel to locations in the Galician city that are full of history
Feb 19, 2007
Where: Tower of Hercules, La Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
What happened here: If you believe the local legend, the ancient hero Hercules built a lighthouse here to commemorate the spot where he slayed a fierce giant king. After three days and nights of fighting, he won out, then buried his vanquished foe and ordered that a city be built on the spot.
If you travel here today: The Tower of Hercules stands, although it was built by the Romans, not by a mythical hero. It’s over 1,900 years old, and tourists are allowed to go inside.
Where: The university, La Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
What happened here: In 1809, one of the key battles of the Peninsular War was fought here, and it bore a few similarities to the evacuation at Dunkirk that took place 131 years later. The British Army under Sir John Moore was in full-on retreat, and was chased across Spain to A Coruña, where the Navy was waiting to evacuate.
As the British got ready for the evacuation, the French attacked. Only fierce resistance from the 42nd Highlanders and the Spanish troops, combined with strategic difficulties in moving weapons, managed to rescue the majority of the 16,000-strong British force. In the end, only 900 perished, with the rest managing to make their escape.
Sir John didn’t make it though – he was hit by a cannonball and died on the battlefield, which is now a campus of the university.
If you travel here today: Sir John Moore’s monument can be seen in the grounds of the university, while he is buried in the Jardín de San Carlos in the old city.
Where: The city walls, La Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
What happened here: After the planned Spanish invasion of England – the Armada - had been foiled the previous year, the English went looking for revenge in 1589. Under the command of Sir Francis Drake, English ships and troops sacked the city, and were on the verge of claiming it.
However, a local woman called María Pita stepped in at just the right time, managing to kill the bannerman just as he was about to wave the English flag from the city walls. Well, that’s what they’d have you believe anyway.
If you travel here today: The city’s main square is named after Pita, and she is regarded almost as a patron saint of the city. There is also a small museum devoted to her, where you can hear various overplayed stories of how she saved the world.
