Hola,
Here’s a first look at La Coruña.
Ru
“The charisma of La Coruña
Often-overlooked La Coruña in northern Spain is just the place to find good food, fabulous beaches and a dash of culture.”
It was a horror getting here (which we’re not quite over) but I’m already in love with La Coruῆa. Just down the street and around the corner is the Provincial Library which I only discovered on my way back from finding both the Galicia and La Coruña Tourist Offices. Last night on our way for a light dinner we had walked past what was the Galicia Tourist Office. I returned this morning and they were very helpful but told me I really needed La Coruña Tourist Office and explained to me how to get there. On my way I discovered a wonderful area of shops and restaurants and an Artist Association but not La Coruña Tourist Office. I can’t imagine how I missed it the first time I walked across the Maria Pita Square as there was a huge white i on the front and corner when I finally found it. Several kind people had tried to explain to me in very slow Spanglish (more Spang than lish) where La Coruña Tourist Office was located, but finally a man who must have seen me walk by one time already, took pity and walked part way with me and pointed just across the plaza where the office was located. I couldn’t see it or really understand him so he crouched down and touched the stone street to indicate that I should cross the plaza to where the stone street was and find the office. He was right! I honestly think my timing was off and the office had opened after my first pass by and that’s when the signs had been put out. Who knows! As I finally did find it that’s what’s important. It will definitely be a fun area to explore, La Coruña’s old city.
http://www.galiciaguide.com/Maria-Pita-square.html is a link to info about Maria Pita Square about a 10 minute walk from DoraMac. Now that I know where it is, I can find lots of places located around it.
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DoraMac happy to be tied to a finger pier
When I walked to the Tourist Offices this morning I saw this young boy catching star fish hopefully to take home for an aquarium. Interesting that they turn orange out of the water. |
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In the water they’re an amazing shade of purple Ophidiaster ophidianus Purple starfish http://www.european-marine-life.org/30/ophidiaster-ophidianus.php Being in a marina is like floating on top of a huge aquarium with all of the fish and sea life. |
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Octopus guarding the entrance to the marina area |
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Walkway from the marina with construction of some sort just across the way but it doesn’t bother us. Just behind those modern looking building is the “old world.” It’s great to be so close to such a great area. A supermarket too! |
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This tour boat comes and goes several times each day taking folks on an hour’s tour of the bay. Fishing boats come and go too. |
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If you’re walking along past the marina we’re just b8hind the magic 8 ball! |
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Galerias Corunesas Windowed Balconies “These windowed balconies in the Avenida de la Marina were built during the 19th century to make the most of the hours of daylight and gave A Coruῆa its nickname of the Crystal City.” A Coruῆa Tourist Map |
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Asociacion de Artista bottom floor of the yellow building I was told at the tourist office that this is a place for local craftspeople open to the public. I passed it this morning and this afternoon and it was closed. This street is one over from the main Marina Aveune so I can check often and hopefully find it open one day. |
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So perfectly the way it’s supposed to be with old people and young people and shops with stuff. |
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Knitted flowers and flower pot covers adorned many of the balconies. |
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“Town Hall and Council building (Palacio Municipal) which is truly monumental in both its scale and incredibly ornate detailing.” http://www.galiciaguide.com |
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Valkyries ? They are set up outside the Town Hall for some reason I don’t yet know. This tiny person’s mom is just out of the photo. |
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Iglesia de San Jorge “Although not in the Maria Pita square itself, the square does offer a view of the small but elegant church of St. George (Iglesia de San Jorge), which you reach by exiting the plaza to the left of the Palacio Municipal. This church was built in the eighteenth century and is in the typical baroque style of that period. It has a slender and almost elongated appearance with two bell towers and also has the addition of an elaborate cruceiro in the small courtyard in front of it. It was designed by Architect Domingo de Andrade.” http://www.galiciaguide.com And just past the church is the big grocery store! |
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The statue of Maria Pita “Maria Pita herself came to notoriety as a result of her role in Sir Francis Drake’s attack on A Coruna in 1589 and she is credited with playing a critical part in reducing the losses of the Corunans during this assault.” http://www.galiciaguide.com Depending on what country you’re in someone is a hero and someone is the villain and it all changes when you move to another country. I assume in England Drake will be the hero and Maria Pita (if they’ve even heard of her) the villain. |
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I walked through those arches and never saw the i amazing! |
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Need help, go to the Library and I will lots more. I couldn’t figure out exactly how to get to the supermarket, duh: so stopped into the library to check the hours and asked the guard for help. He walked outside and pointed me the correct way. You have to watch people’s hands as left and right get lost in translation. He was kind and I found my way, eventually even finding it on the map. It’s not far from Florida Street which struck me as odd until I remembered that the Spanish once owned Florida. |
