Tower of Hercules, Roman lighthouse in A Coruña, Spain
The Tower of Hercules is a Roman lighthouse on a peninsula in A Coruña, Spain, resting on a square base and crowned by three narrower sections with a lantern chamber. Ancient stone walls enclose the staircase leading to the observation platform, from which the Atlantic and the coastline come into view.
Roman builders raised the structure in the second century under Emperor Trajan to guide ships along the dangerous coast. The outer shell received a new form in 1788, yet the inner Roman core remained and still carries the light today.
The name recalls an old legend in which Hercules defeated the giant Geryon and then raised the tower. Visitors today still see the rough stone facing and the wide view over the sea, guiding fishermen and sailors as it has for centuries.
Visitors climb 242 steps up to the observation platform and should plan for sturdy footwear and time for pauses. The ascent becomes easier in summer with longer opening hours, while winter visits bring shorter days and often stronger winds.
This structure is the only Roman lighthouse worldwide that remains in continuous operation since ancient times and therefore received recognition as a World Heritage site. The upper platform offers views reaching up to 32 nautical miles out to the open sea on clear days.
Location: A Coruña
Inception: 1 century
Architectural style: ancient Roman architecture
Height: 49 m
Fee: Yes
Charge: 3€
Made from material: stone
Address: Estrada da Torre de Hércules
Opening Hours: giugno-settembre: Lunedì-Domenica 10:00-21:00; ottobre-maggio: Lunedì-Domenica 10:00-18:00
Website: http://torredeherculesacoruna.com
GPS coordinates: 43.38583,-8.40639
Latest update: December 14, 2025 23:05
Historic lighthouses around the world tell the story of the way ships have been guided for hundreds of years. From the rocky coast of Norway to the cliffs of the Pacific, these towers have helped sailors since ancient times. The Tower of Hercules in Spain has been shining over the sea since the...
Lighthouses tell the history of sailing with their shapes and building styles. Some go back to Roman times, like the Tower of Hercules in Galicia, a structure from the second century still working today. Others are from the Middle Ages, such as the Hook Lighthouse in Ireland, with its...
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