Our Way Walking The Camino: Road Trip To A Coruna, Spain

Always the trickiest part of travelling anywhere, is trying to figure out getting around on the bus, train or driving.
In Spain, it's our fault for not knowing enough Spanish to ask, so I try to translate everything before I approach the counters.
For our trip to A Coruna, I was able to get the bus schedule and purchase two tickets to the city.
And off we went.

A Coruna is about an hour north/west of Santiago de Compostela and has a population of about 250,000, but the region of La Coruna has over 1.2 million people. It is a Port city on the Atlantic coast.

The city bus is right outside the bus station when we arrive. Bus 1 or 1A takes us to Praza Maria Pita where there is a tourist information office. Only 1.20 euros and our bus takes us through the city to our stop.

We walked from the Port (bus stop) and Praza De Maria Pita is the first sight we come to. Wow!
It is named after the city's heroine and is also the symbol of the city, Maria Pita.

The very impressive building is the City Hall.
All around the square are restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops.

To give an idea of how big this square is.....it covers over 10,000 square meters!

A football field is only 6,000 square meters.

The Statue of Maria Pita dominates this magnificent square.

It is supposed to be sunny here.....hmmmm.

It is an incredible story of heroism, the true tale of Maria Pita.

In 1589, the English army, (Queen Elizabeth I was the reigning monarch in England at the time) surrounded and attacked this walled city, lead by Sir Francis Drake.

When Maria Pita's husband was killed during this invasion, full of rage she grabbed a spear with the English standard on it and killed Sir Francis Drake's brother crying

"Let all honourable men and woman follow me."

Apparently when the English army heard this they were terrified and began to retreat.

Thus Maria Pita and 4,000 villagers were able to fend off an English army of 12,000.

The statue of Maria Pita shows the spear, as well, sadly, her husband's lifeless body at her feet.

Praza do Xeneral Azcarraga with a silhouette of Fama Fountain.

It is considered over the years and still today as the heart of the Old Town.

This square actually has 4 entrances/exits from it. Which way you want to go is an adventure waiting to happen.

We are heading to the right to see the Church of Santiago.

A Camino marker that shows 72.8 km to Santiago de Compostela from this spot.

The 'English Way' was created by pilgrims travelling from England, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland and the Scandinavian countries. They would arrive at the seaport here in Galicia with two routes to follow from here. A Coruna which is 73 km from Santiago de Compostela or Ferrol which is 112.5 km. At the town of Bruma they converge and the last 40 km are walked together.

One of the many alternate routes to see Saint James.

A Big Yellow Bell Flowering tree caught my eye in the park.

I am serious...that is what it is called. Very curious.

Irregardless of what it is called, it is gorgeous.

The 12th century Church of Santiago.

It is the oldest church in A Coruna.

Built next to the port to welcome pilgrims who are travelling on the 'English Way.'

A beautiful stain glass window in the church.

The inside is quite old with massive stone walls.

'Saint James the Greater', found in this church, is an important statue that pilgrims honour on their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

A key hole shot of the sculptured door way into the church.

Oh...and who is that awesome Canadian woman out front? Lol.

Cobblestone streets with designs in the Old Town.

A wee cutie hiding in the trees but looking right at me.

The Convent and Church of Santo Domingo (below) which originally was built outside the city walls and then was rebuilt inside during the 17th century. Only two chapels and the Convent remains.

An example of the interesting and different colours of Spanish housing in the Old Town.

Wandering the Old Town.

Interesting to know that no one seems to know exactly where the name 'A Coruna' comes from.

'A' is Galician for 'the' and 'coroa' is for 'crown.'

'The Crown' is one thought, even though no one knows for sure.

Below is a great example, in the Old Town, of the unique architecture of the 'Galerias' or enclosed glass balconies.

Incredible vines have taken over this building and I love it.

The Old Town refounded in the 12th century by Alphonse IX of Leon, Spain.

Refounded because it is the site of the original Roman town of Crunia.

(Above and below)

Such interesting sculpturing on this church in the

Praza das Barbaras, or Las Barbaras Square and Convent.

It shows Saint James (second on the left) at the Gates of Heaven intervening for pilgrims during the Last Judgement.

In the 14th century a chapel dedicated to Saint Barbara stood in this square, thus is named in his honour.

It is Monday, the only day that anticipated sun and no rain, thus is why we came to this port city to visit. Unfortunately, nothing is open on Mondays.

What to do....what to do.....what to do....

Visit churches because they are almost always open.

Above and below are photos of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria del Campo.

The words 'del Campo' mean 'countryside' as this church was also originally built outside the walls of the city in the 12th-14th century.

Wondrous sculptured entrance way to be seen.

Medieval tombs are well preserved in this very old church.

Originally the church of sailors and merchants.

A must see in my mind.

Remarkable medieval tombs on the floor.

Astounding pillars in this 800 year old church.

In a word 'Wow.'

Incredibly intact sculpture above the door of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria del Campo. (below)

Walking along the shops and the church heading towards the port.

The Old Town is a maze of medieval narrow streets and alleys.

Huge leaf.....it still seems to be Autumn here. Trees are still losing their leaves.

This one could knock you out if it hit you on the head.....lol.

The Pied Wagtail bird is appropriately named as it's tail never stops going up and down.

In the winter, to keep warm, and safe, these birds will sometimes 'roost' (sit or rest) together in groups of more than 4,000.

A Coruna's incredible seascape and one of it's ports.

This seawall extends more than 1,300 meters out into the water protecting the inner Port.

The big, white structure is the Control Tower.

You can actually walk all along the seawall to the lighthouse at the end.

(Below)

Built by Philip II, this 16th century 'San Anton Castle' has been, over the years, a prison, hospital, fortress and now a Museum of Archaeology and History.

A breathtaking view of the castle at these wee seats.

This little European Goldfinch thought I had food for it. Because it kept chirping at me and following me. But it also posed for a great photo.

Haven't seen one of these birds before.

I thought at first it was an Oriole?

"I'm sittin' on the dock (rock) of the bay, watchin' the tide roll away,

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay, wastin' time."

-Otis Redding

This photo below reminds me of that song.

The beauty of relaxing and soaking it all in.

A Coruna boasts over 7 kms of waterfront. There is an absolutely gorgeous and scenic seafront promenade that we walked for quite some time. It is one of the longest in Europe.

Birds, waves, runners, cyclists, strollers enjoying the sun...it is well utilized by all.

As this wee fellow was feeding along the seawall, I caught him looking up just in time for a photo.

I believe he is a Long Billed Curlew...maybe.

Looking around....enjoying the stunning scenery.

Little friends along the way.

(Above and below)

I decided I wanted to go explore this stone circle I could see from the seafront promenade. It was quite a ways, so Deb thought she would rest her legs and wait for me.

Unfortunately, our communication wasn't so clear, and we lost each other for almost an hour and a half.😟😢😓

Happy news was that I zoomed in with my camera along the coast nooks and crannies and found LD sitting on a bench, watching for me....but sadly in the wrong direction.

I took a shortcut and missed her entirely.

All was okay after I found her and we continued along our adventure.

The 'Family of Menhirs' or 'Menhirs for Peace' are actually gigantic granite manmade sculptures created by an artist named Manolo Paz. Inspired by the ancient stone circles found in the Galician region.

There are 10 (different shapes and sizes) in total, found along the coast line, expressing/illustrating parents with their children.

You can actually walk right up to them and touch them.

It is meant to be a place of reflection of family and our future as well as interpreting the meaning for ourselves.

Hanging out catching some rays.

We finally find the 'Torre De Hercules,' Hercules Tower.

From the castle, I believe it is about a 3 km walk along the seaside promenade.

The statue of 'The Fat Man' or 'El Guardian' is a bit disturbing, found at the foot of the walkway to the Hercules Tower. Designed by a Spanish artisan, Ramon Condi, in 1994.

The Tower of Hercules was built in the 1st century by the Romans. It is the oldest working lighthouse in the world. The pilgrims looked forward to seeing this tower as it meant they were almost on dry land,

Note to self: Free admission on Mondays....except if it is a training day. 😞

Cormorants are only some of the birds that are found along this coast of La Coruna, region. It is very plentiful and rich with many winter birds to be found.

Debbie in a pensive moment overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean.

An extraordinary view from the seafront promenade.

Blinded by the light.

The sun is out...it is hot...and we can't get enough of it today.

Behind me, another view of the Hercules Tower and the Sculpture Park.

The city boosts five incredible beaches.

We watched the surfers waiting to catch the 'perfect' wave.

Sailing is also very popular here along the Atlantic Ocean.

This particular sandy beach is 1.4 kms long called Praia de Orzan and Praia de Riazor.

Below this young person looks like they might be learning to surf.

We took a bus from the beach where the surfers were and ended up back where we started.

It's time for dinner...we actually missed lunch....too busy exploring.

Where to go...there are so many choices?

We decide on a place that has my favourite, pulpo, and Deb has chicken.

Delicious.

The view is of the A Coruna Marina....and at this time of day, everyone is out enjoying the sun and fresh air before dinner.

Do you ever get the feeling you are being watched?

A gigantic Christmas Ball set up for the season.

(Above and below)

A Coruna is famously called the 'Glass City' for it's 'Galerias' which are enclosed glass balconies. They are all along the Avenida Marina (and throughout the Old Town) which highlights the best examples of them.

At the base of them are cafes and restaurants with fantastic views of the port.

The cruise lines stop here on some of their itineraries. Princess and Royal Caribbean are two but there are many more.

The marina has such vibrant colours with the different sea vessels.

I love the way the light is reflecting off the water.

So very peaceful.

I get why everything is so green and still blooming. This is the rainy season and almost everyday it rains. Sometimes a little shower, a mist, and on occasions we get hail and the rain really comes down hard. Everyone carries an umbrella and each shop/cafe has an umbrella holder to leave your wet umbrella. Feels a bit like England.