Senoritas & Tapas

Days 15-17: Sat 9th to Mon 11th August, 2003

Log | Other Boats | Ramprasad | Spain

With a population of 240,000 that is rapidly growing, La Coruna is a major city in northern Galicia. The modern developments are set off by the very old paved streets, and can boast the oldest functioning lighthouse in the world, the Roman Torre de Hercules. Like many of the ports of this area La Coruna plays host to many fishing boats, as well as a number of cruise ships (during our visit we saw the QE2 depart) and handles over 2,500 ships a year.

The Galicians love to party

Boy do the Spanish love to party! In the main plaza of La Coruna, Plaza de Maria Pita, a huge stage had been erected to host a number of Galician bands who played into the night: I think they eventually turned the music off at 1am, which is completely unheard of in the UK considering this was in the town centre.

....and dress up!

The full moon turns them into werewolves!

I don’t think I need to explain the Spanish lifestyle of siestas and late dinners but it is very apparent here in La Coruna. With tightly winding back streets crammed with locals fighting for a table in their favourite tapas bar it is easy to become anonymous and just flow with the seething mass. The Spanish have little regard for personal space and love talking loudly and fast, so the atmosphere is frenetic and chaotic. This is set off by their relaxed temperament.

Log | Other Boats | Ramprasad | Spain

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Boat: RAMPRASAD
Distance: 20.5 nm
Leg: moored up at A Coruña
Destination lat/long
N 43° 22
W 8° 23

A Coruña

Population 243,349
Country Spain

A Coruña (Spanish: La Coruña; also Corunna in English, and archaically The Groyne) is the second largest city in Galicia in Northwestern Spain. The city is also the capital of A Coruña province.

A Coruña is a busy port on the Atlantic Ocean and provides a distribution point for agricultural goods from the region. Although much of the heavy industry is based on the shipyards and metalworks of the neighbouring city of Ferrol, there is an oil refinery in A Coruña itself.

The Romans came to region in the 2nd century BC, and the colonisers made the most of the strategic position and soon the city became quite important in sea trade. In 62 BC Julius Caesar came to the city (known at the time as Brigantium) in search of the metal trade, establishing commerce with France, England and Portugal.

The city is the site of the Roman Tower of Hercules, which is a lighthouse in continuous operation for nearly 2,000 years. The city is also well-known for its characteristic glazed window balconies, called galerías. During the Middle Ages, the city was an important port and center for manufacturing of textiles. In 1598, the city was sacked by an English fleet under Francis Drake during Anglo-Spanish War It was the site of battle during the Peninsular War, on 16 January 1809, to cover embarkation of British troops after their retreat and in which Sir John Moore was killed. During the 19th century, the city was the centre of antimonarchist sentiment.

Source: Wikipedia