HERCULES TOWER

Hercules tower lighthouse

The Tower of Hercules: A Legendary Beacon Through Time

Rising proudly on the northern edge of the A Coruña peninsula in Spain, approximately 1,600 meters from the city center, the Tower of Hercules is not only the oldest monument in the city but also its most iconic. Featured prominently on A Coruña’s coat of arms, it is the oldest working Roman lighthouse in the world and a living symbol of the region's rich maritime and mythological heritage.

Legend has it that this very site was where the mythical hero Hercules defeated the tyrant Geryon. After cutting off his head, Hercules is said to have buried it and erected a mighty tower atop the grave—a tale that still captures the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

Historically, the tower dates back to the 2nd century AD, during the reign of Emperor Trajan. Constructed by the Romans as a beacon to guide sailors safely along the Galician coast, it served as a critical navigational aid for centuries. However, during the Middle Ages, its original maritime function was likely abandoned as the structure was repurposed into a military fortification.

The tower's revival began in the 17th century when the Duke of Uceda commissioned a restoration project. The architect Amaro Antúnez was responsible for a significant redesign, installing a wooden staircase that ascended through the interior vaults and adding two small towers at the top to house the light beacons. At this time, the tower was a square-based prismatic structure with stone exterior walls, two entrances at the base, and asymmetrical windows rising toward the upper floors.

Its definitive transformation took place during the reign of King Charles IV. In 1791, the Italian engineer Eustaquio Giannini completed a full neoclassical reconstruction that gave the tower its current appearance. Today, the Tower of Hercules stands 68 meters tall and features three main sections. The uppermost section supports a glass cylinder that protects the modern lantern, seamlessly combining ancient architecture with contemporary functionality.

The Tower of Hercules continues to operate as a lighthouse to this day, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and drawing thousands of visitors each year. It is more than a monument—it is a testament to endurance, innovation, and the enduring connection between myth and history.

To commemorate this extraordinary legacy, we offer a high-quality, handcrafted scale model of the Tower of Hercules. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, this replica is ideal for collectors, history lovers, and anyone wishing to own a piece of one of the world’s most storied monuments.