Tower of Hercules

The Tower of Hercules (Spanish and gal Torre de Hércules ) is a Roman lighthouse from the 2nd century in A Coruña, Galicia ( northwestern Spain), and is the landmark of the city. The coat of arms of A Coruña (Latin Brigantium ) shows seven shells - as a reference to the St. James - and a tower, the town's lighthouse in the old view.

The Tower of Hercules has seafarers since the time of Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century ( 110 ) on their way. The Basiseckstein, the consecration inscription MARTI August SACR C. SEVIVS LUPUS ARCHTECTUS AEMINIENSIS LVSITANVS.EX.VO ( today Coimbra, Portugal ancient Roman city) can be assigned to the god Mars on what the original tower the architect Gaius Sevius lupus from Aeminia. Oldest surviving mention of the lighthouse comes from Paulus Orosius in Historiae adversum Pagano ( stories against the pagans ), ca 415-417:

Under the Spanish king Charles IV, the tower 1788-1791 by Eustaquio Giannini (1750-1814) was restored. Here, the tower was given a classical envelope. He is the world's oldest still operating lighthouse is 68 meters high and stands at an altitude of 112 meters above sea level. For views of the Atlantic you have to climb 242 steps.

About two kilometers to the south is the harbor of A Coruña. Since the end of June 2009, the Tower of Hercules is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Legend

According to legend, he said to have originated from a rock, has fought on the Hercules with the giant Geryon 3 days and 3 nights. Hercules won the fight and out of gratitude, the lighthouse was then built from the rock.