Tower of Hercules facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tower of Hercules |
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| Native name Spanish: Torre de Hércules |
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| Location | Corunna, Galicia, Spain |
| Elevation | 57 metres (187 ft) |
| Visitors | 149,440 (in 2009) |
| Governing body | Ministry of Culture |
| Official name: Tower of Hercules | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii |
| Designated | 2009 (33rd session) |
| Reference no. | 1312 |
| State Party |  Spain |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Official name: Torre de Hércules | |
| Type | Royal property |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 3 June 1931 |
| Reference no. | (R.I.) - 51 - 0000540 - 00000 |
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The Tower of Hercules (known as Torre de Hércules in Galician and Spanish) is a very old lighthouse in Spain. It was built by the Romans a long, long time ago. This amazing tower stands on a piece of land that sticks out into the sea, about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 mi) from the city center of A Coruña, in the region of Galicia.
This historic lighthouse is super important to Spain. It is officially called a National Monument of Spain. In 2009, something even bigger happened: it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's recognized as a special place that belongs to everyone in the world! The Tower of Hercules is also the second tallest lighthouse in Spain, only a little shorter than the Faro de Chipiona.
In 2007, the Tower of Hercules was chosen as one of the 100 finalists for the "12 Treasures of Spain." This shows how much people love and value this ancient building.
Contents
What is the Tower of Hercules?
The Tower of Hercules is a very old lighthouse that has been guiding ships for centuries. It's the only Roman lighthouse that is still working today! Imagine, it has been helping sailors find their way home for almost 2,000 years.
Where is the Tower of Hercules located?
You can find the Tower of Hercules in the northwest part of Spain. It's on a beautiful peninsula near the city of A Coruña, which is in the region of Galicia. The tower stands tall on a rocky coast, looking out over the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Why is the Tower of Hercules important?
The Tower of Hercules is important for many reasons. First, it's a fantastic example of Roman engineering. It shows how clever and skilled the Romans were at building things that last. Second, it has been a working lighthouse for a very long time, making it a living piece of history. Third, its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site means it's protected and celebrated globally.
Images for kids
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Plan and elevation, from Joseph Cornide, Investigaciones sobre la fundación y fábrica de la torre llamada de Hércules, 1792
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View of the surrounding park.
See also
In Spanish: Torre de Hércules para niños
