A Coruña puts the end to a new edition of the Quetzal Route. The expedition, which this 2023 is focus on the finis terrae with the motto 'Towards the light of the end of the world', brings together about 200 people from different parts of Spain who, for two weeks, toured the north of Portugal and the Galician Costa da Morte to reach the city of A Coruña, in northwest Spain.

This Wednesday, July 12, the expedition will reach the Tower of Hercules, the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world in operation and World Heritage since 2009. The symbol of A Coruña will also be part of the Quetzal Route, appearing on the t-shirts of the participants of this edition with an image of the Roman Tower, one of the medieval times and another of the lighthouse nowadays. 

Two days to discover A Coruña

During their stay in A Coruña, the team of the Quetzal Route will be able to discover the myths and legends and the interior of the Tower of Hercules, passing through its archaeological excavation and climbing the 234 steps that will take them to the balcony of the lighthouse, from which they will see part of the Herculin city and have spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Before, the group will get to know some of the most important scientific museums in the city, such as the Domus, the first interactive museum in the world dedicated entirely to the human being, or the Aquarium Finisterrae, with four exhibition rooms that delve into environmental education and scientific dissemination of marine topics.

In addition, the expeditionaries will be able to learn the history of the city, formerly known as Brigantium, and some of its curiosities, such as the A Coruña period of the painter Pablo Picasso, recognized worldwide and who began his career in this Spanish city. This year, the city joins the Picasso Celebration for the 50th anniversary of his death. The Tower of Hercules was precisely one of the landscapes that inspired the young artist and one of the stops on the city's Picassian route, which will also take them to his House Museum or the institute where he began to paint. 

The members of the Quetzal Route will also be able to know more about the Royal Philanthropic Expedition, which departed in 1803 from the port of A Coruña to take to the Philippines, China, Canton and Macau the smallpox vaccine, an event that this year celebrates its 220 anniversary.