AUGUST 2016 : SPAIN : A Coruña

Day 2 in A Coruña. More experiences on local bus routes. 1euro 30 for all routes. 

                                      

Today we concentrated on historical sites around the old port.

Just off the old city is a small peninsular which contains the Castle of San Anton, which is a fortress designed in the sixteenth century. It has been used a fortress, governor's house, prison and now an archaeological museum.

The entrance.

Relics from medieval times.

Large section of prehistoric gold artefacts, including this helmet.

These exquisite necklaces were found in the Castro Elviña in the A Coruña locality.

                                     

  Borna, an experimental boat of wicker and leather, recreated from information from old texts and etchings.

                                              

                                                  A good vantage point for all

      

         View back to A Coruña town

       

Only a short distance from the town centre to the Tower of Hercules, considered the oldest Roman lighthouse.

Definitely tourist central. Very impressive entry and surrounding park. The lighthouse (faro) has been considerably modified and developed over the years.

The compass situated in the surrounding parkland.

A bus trip back to the old city and we walked through the gate into the Garden of San Carlos.

The old town contains mainly religious buildings, like the Santo Domingo monastery.

Unexpected religious statue in a little recess.

The timpanium in the Santa Maria church.

                                     

                                           Lunch at Momo's, a typical Galego restaurant.

        

A rather filling crepe concoction - combining the delights of ham and tuna! Don't attempt this at home!

        

Through another archway and we discovered the very impressive Plaza Marie Pita, A Coruña's Plaza Mayor. All set up for a series of summer concerts.

                                             

                                                      The city hall's attractive clock tower.

                                            

Marie Pita, whose statue features in the centre of the plaza, was A Coruña's outstanding heroine. In 1589 she made a successful stance against British invaders saving the city from defeat.

Quite a bit of information to digest...feeling very pleased with ourselves navigating successfully around the town ... and on a lovely summer's day.

PS Mark was resting his knee and watching BBC World News - a treat having English, rather than trying to guess what the Spanish news is about. I decided to explore our suburban surrounds.

    

Out our window...railway tracks, a path and a marshy swamp. We decided that if you put a few buffalo out there it could be a scene from Gandhi. A pleasant afternoon and itching for a walk...out I went.

        

I found out that despite the garbage and mud, of course this is also a wetland and attracts numerous breeds of birds, even brightly coloured kingfisher if you are lucky.

The path was full of walkers, runners, groups of all ages. It is mostly high-rise living around here, so how wonderful to see the area so well appreciated.

There were several parks, basketball courts, skateboard ramps - all crowded and well used.

        

Families, friends all talking... not a mobile phone in sight. Such a positive tradition the Spanish and Italians have of this social evening daily stroll - 'passeggiata'.

So not such a disappointment after all. Maybe I'll see the kingfisher tomorrow.

M&M