On a rocky peninsula near the city of A Coruña, where Atlantic waves have battered granite shores for centuries, stands a silent sentinel. This is not just a navigational structure, but a living thread connecting modern Spain to the might of the Roman Empire. For nearly two thousand years, its light has guided ships, transforming from a simple landmark into an undeniable symbol of resilience, history, and humanity’s enduring bond with the sea. The silhouette of this giant, visible from the city’s promenade, has become the calling card of the entire region—a magnet for those seeking something beyond a picturesque landscape.
The Atlantic Sentinel with Roman Roots
The history of this structure dates back to the era of Emperor Trajan, at the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. The Romans, renowned for their engineering skills, built the Farum Brigantium here, as it was then called. The project was entrusted to the architect Gaius Sevius Lupus, a native of Coimbra in modern-day Portugal, whose name can still be seen on a plaque at the foot of the building. Remarkably, the original Roman core has survived inside the 55-meter tower, making up almost two-thirds of its total height. The exterior we see today is the result of a major 18th-century renovation. Architect Eustaquio Giannini dressed the ancient walls in elegant neoclassical form, giving the monument a modern appearance while preserving its functionality. In 2009, its uniqueness received global recognition: UNESCO included the site on the World Heritage List as an outstanding example of ancient lighthouse construction preserved to the present day.
The climb to the top: 234 steps through history
Climbing to the top via the internal spiral staircase is an adventure in itself. After conquering 234 stone steps, visitors feel as if they’re traveling back in time, touching stones that remember the footsteps of Roman legionnaires. The reward for the effort is a viewing platform offering a breathtaking panorama. The entire city of A Coruña unfolds below, with its bustling port and the endless blue of the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day, you can spot the rough outlines of the Costa da Morte and even glimpse the direction toward the southern rías, where Vigo is located. Every twenty seconds, the lighthouse sends out a powerful beam of white light, visible for more than twenty nautical miles. For centuries, this very light has guided ships traveling along trade routes to Britain and Ireland. Even the great Pablo Picasso, who lived in A Coruña in his youth, was captivated by this view and immortalized it in his works, affectionately dubbing it the “caramel tower” for the warm hue the granite takes on in the setting sun.
Art, nature, and planning your visit
An expansive sculpture park, stretching over 47 hectares, spreads out around the monument. Here, among cliffs and heather moorlands, contemporary artworks engage in a dialogue with the rugged landscape and ancient architecture, creating a unique space for strolls and reflection. To make the most of your visit, it’s best to plan ahead. Tickets can be conveniently purchased online, helping you avoid queues. Opening hours vary by season: from mid-September to mid-June, doors are open from 10:00 to 17:00, while in summer, from June 16 to September 15, visiting hours are extended until 21:00. A standard ticket costs €3.09, while reduced admission for eligible visitors is €1.55. This monument is more than just a tourist attraction—it is the heart of La Coruña’s Atlantic identity and all of northwest Spain, a place of power where history meets eternity.
