La restauración de la torre de Hércules de La Coruña (Galicia, España)

Abstract

La "Torre de Hércules" de La Coruña (Patrimonio de la Humanidad) es un faro romano construido probablemente al final del siglo I d.C. Expoliada su estructura en la Edad Media fue reconstruida en 1791 con un forro de sillería que reproduce, con elementos estilísticos neoclásicos, la "forma" del faro romano. El articulo describe la restauración integral del monumento que se abordó en 1991, con motivo del bicentenario de su reconstrucción neoclásica y la rehabilitación de su entorno, muy degradado, para convertirlo en un "parque arqueológico" asociado a la visita del mismo.

According to the legend, Hercules built this Tower to commemorate his victory over the Giant Gerión, layíng its foundations of top of the Giant's bones. The "Hercules Tower is actually a lighthouse built by the Romans between the I and II centuries D.C. . In 1791, the Roman structure, which had lost the whole of its exterior façade and the ramp that used to surround it, was reconstructed. It was covered with a masonry veneer thus reproducing, with neoclassical stylistic elements, the form" of the Roman Lighthouse. The work we present here consisted of the followíng: developing of the planímetry with the ground photographic mapmaking; the ídentification of the Roman walls and their transformations; the archaeological excavations; the restoration of the walls and new bronze carpentry; the restoration of this neoclassical work elimínating and relocating the modern semi-detached dwellings; the transfer of the instalations to permít the visit of the Roman areas which were adequatly illuminated; new handrail and bronze locks; and the rehabilitation of the surroundings of the monument with the "archaeological park" with all necessary services.