Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Spain A Coruña Tower of Hercules

Tower of Hercules

The oldest Roman lighthouse still in use.

A Coruña, Spain

Added By
solarconstant
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Tower of Hercules   Wikipedia
  notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
Corunna Coat of Arms   Wikipedia
The original roman lantern.   pvfizor / Atlas Obscura User
La Torre de Hércules. August 2015   Areli Alcazar
234 steps to the top   pvfizor / Atlas Obscura User
Inside   pvfizor / Atlas Obscura User
Basement   pvfizor / Atlas Obscura User
What sight to see   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
  notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
Torre de Hércules   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
  mocchiatto / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The ancient Tower of Hercules is easily the most well preserved lighthouse remaining from the classical Roman age, and it is also the only one still in use. According to myth, it also marks the resting place of one of Hercules' greatest conquests. 

Built around the 2nd century and originally known as the "Farum Brigantium" or "Brigantia Lighthouse" the structure looks as though it could have been built just decades ago. The beacon is located atop a small hill promontory that was likely chosen by its ancient Roman builders not only for its view of the sea, but the spot may also have been a sacred space dedicated to the demigod Hercules.

As part of one of the mythic Twelve Labors of Hercules, the super strong son of Zeus is said to have killed the giant Gerylon with an arrow dipped in Hydra's blood. Then in a gesture that is more Celtic than Roman, the legend says that Hercules buried the giant with his weapons and ordered a city built atop the burial site. While the area where the tower is built was rather barren when it was originally built, the surrounding city of Corunna has sprung up around it across the millennia. While there are not actually titanic bones beneath the tower, the legend is so pervasive that an image of the tower atop a skull and bones is the centerpiece of the city's coat of arms.

Today the Tower of Hercules is still used as a lighthouse. It was refurbished in the 18th century, which accounts for its well preserved condition in the present. 

Related Tags

Lighthouses Mythology Unesco

Know Before You Go

You can visit the basement, including the original Roman lantern of the lighthouse, and then go up the 234 steps to the balcony on the top. If winds are strong, the balcony will be closed.

Community Contributors

Added By

solarconstant

Edited By

pvfizor, AAlcazar, aribrown, Spiffy...

  • pvfizor
  • AAlcazar
  • aribrown
  • Spiffy
  • EricGrundhauser
  • notoriousFIG
  • Xavixavir
  • mocchiatto

Published

April 15, 2014

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1312
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Hercules
Tower of Hercules
7A Carretera Circunvalación
A Coruña, 15002
Spain
43.38593, -8.40668
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Menhires Pola Paz

A Coruña, Spain

miles away

Elevador del Monte de San Pedro

A Coruña, Spain

miles away

Parque del Pasatiempo

Betanzos, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of A Coruña

A Coruña

Spain

Places 3

Nearby Places

Menhires Pola Paz

A Coruña, Spain

miles away

Elevador del Monte de San Pedro

A Coruña, Spain

miles away

Parque del Pasatiempo

Betanzos, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of A Coruña

A Coruña

Spain

Places 3

Related Places

  • Shadow Room

    Zagreb, Croatia

    The Museum of Lost Tales

    A fantastical display of Croatian folklore, mythology, and myths.

  • The lighthouse is located halfway between the North Pole and the Equator.

    Traverse City, Michigan

    Mission Point Lighthouse

    This picturesque beacon was built to keep boats safe shortly after the Civil War.

  • View of The Great South Wall from Dublin Bay.

    Dublin, Ireland

    The Great South Wall

    The Dublin sea wall draws walkers, photographers, and fishing enthusiasts.

  • Rusted equipment gears surrounded by moss at the site.

    Yekepa, Liberia

    Mount Nimba LAMCO Mining Site

    A surreal abandoned mining site near West Africa’s tallest mountain.

  • Castellum from above.

    Utrecht, Netherlands

    Castellum Hoge Woerd

    This recreated Roman outpost stands above its buried predecessor.

  • The Spire of Lloyd, Kells, County Meath.

    Kells, Ireland

    Spire of Lloyd

    “Ireland’s only inland lighthouse” is not actually a lighthouse at all.

  • The site of the mythological Sanada no Osada.

    Kirishima, Japan

    Sanada no Osada

    According to Japanese mythology, the first rice paddy in history was created here many aeons ago.

  • Taipei, Taiwan

    Xianjiyan: Rock of the Deity’s Footprint

    A rock, a temple, and a window into Taiwan’s rich cultural mythology—wrapped in a serene city escape.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.