Tower of Hercules

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Image:Spain LaCoruna tower.jpg Image:Spain LaCorunaFromTower.jpg

The Tower of Hercules, or La Torre de Hercules, is an ancient Roman lighthouse located about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) outside the city of A Coruña, in present-day northwestern Spain. The lighthouse is about 2,000 years old, standing 185 feet (57 meters) high, and is on the North Atlantic coast.

Through the millennia many mythological stories of its origin have been told. According to myth, the hero Hercules slew the giant Geryon after three days and three nights of continuous battle and then buried the head of Gerion with his weapons and ordered that a city be built on the site. The city was to be called “Crunya”. The lighthouse stands atop the buried head of Hercules’ slain enemy. Another version gives account of Hercules after hearing of the tyrant Geryon. Hercules seeks out Geryon and the same tale of battle is told.

Historically, the tower is known to have existed by the 1st or 2nd century, with references to the design of the tower being Phoenician in design. The tower has been in constant use since this time. Originally it was constructed with a ramp along its side, for oxen to bring carts of wood to keep the light fueled at night. During the 18th century the original tower was restored with a new façade, which is the tower we see today.

The tower is the oldest known still-functioning Roman lighthouse in the world. Sitting on the "Coast of Death", it remains a sentinel from days long past. The Romans who settled this region of Spain believed it to be the end of the world.