La Coruña is nestled on a small peninsula on one of the
western-most points of the European continent. It is a friendly, modern
place, but has its roots deep in Roman and
Celtic traditions. Taking its name from the ancient word
for 'Groyne', it sits just above Portugal and forms part of the autonomous
region of Galicia.
Despite being a little-known Spanish city, and lacking the typical influx
of British tourists who prefer Benidorm and Magaluf, the city hides a rich
history of culture, art, and gastronomy.
A young Picasso is said to have begun his art career in
La Coruña when studying at one of the schools, and the city walls once
successfully defended its people against an attack from the notorious
pirate Francis Drake, a battle which is commemorated each
year with a firework display across the bay. The city is also famed
for being the home of the oldest fully-functioning Roman lighthouse, the
Torre de Hercules, which is a World Heritage Site and one
of the most significant examples of Roman architecture anywhere in Spain.
