Ferrol, Naval port city in A Coruña Province, Spain
Ferrol is a city in A Coruña Province, Galicia, spreading along a deep tidal inlet that forms one of Spain's largest natural harbors. The Ría de Ferrol opens toward the Atlantic and is framed by wooded hills and rocky cliffs, while several bridges and dockside basins define the waterfront.
King Philip V founded a naval base here in 1726, turning the small fishing village into a fortified town with arsenals and shipyards. In the 18th century, new districts were built following geometric plans to house sailors, engineers, and craftsmen.
The name comes from the Latin word Ferrum (iron), once mined in the area, and the old fortress of La Palma still guards the harbor entrance. Visitors can explore the baroque old quarter of Ferrol Vello, where fishmongers and craftsmen work between narrow lanes.
The harbor and shipyard areas stretch for several kilometers along the ría and can be explored on foot or by local buses. Most historic districts lie on the southwestern side of the bay, where narrow streets run through the old center.
The city was the birthplace of General Francisco Franco, and his childhood home is preserved as a museum on Calle María. The fortifications include Fort San Felipe, which stands on a narrow spit of land and watches the harbor entrance at close range.
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