San Pedro Mountain, A Coruña

San Pedro Park, Coruña

The other day, making the most of the sunny weather in Coruña and the warmer temperature, we went to visit San Pedro Park.

It is one of the main tourist points in Coruña, and one of the most famous parks. Although often remembered for its importance in history, today, the park is known and credited more for its wonderful views of the city. It is located on a small mountain on the outskirts of the city, and boasts views of the Coruña bay.

Coruña has a very strange coast line, it does face the see, but because of its shape, in all different directions. So it has a sea which almost encircles it hahaha. As soon as I arrived in this city, I spent a lot of time getting my bearings, so it was difficult for me to imagine it with a sea in many different parts. Even using a map, or Google Maps on the internet, once I was in the city I couldn't figure out how to get to the surrounding streets.

Over the years, I have managed to get my bearings. Going to San Pedro park has helped me because you can easily see the coast from the viewing point and see how the sea is positioned next to the city itself.

The park is located at the top of a residential neighbourhood called "Los Rosales".

History

It is beleived that in the past, this mountain was a fossil dune and is over 28000 years old, and is 50 meters above sea level. However, no archaeological site has ever been found. The area was dedicated to agriculture (different crops with stone walls seperating the different areas) and livestock.

Due to water shortages in the seventeenth century, an aqueduct was built to try and transport the spring water from the mountain to the city, to the fountains of Plaza de Santa Catalina and Plaza de la Fama.

The mountain has only belonged to Coruña since 1912 because this was the year that Coruña became a part of the City of Oza (which belonged to the parish of San But Visma where the mountain is located).

20 years later during the war, the mountain was taken over by the military due to its suitable height for installing cannons, which are still there today and an important symbol to the area.

After the war, the cannons were useless which was when the mountain became a part of the Coruña municipality. This was when the idea for restoring the area started. The mountain was isolated from Coruña, because it was owned by the military and it had a lot of poverty. It wasn't until the land was returned to the city council that the resoration began.

Currently, the neighbourhood has shopping centers, entertainment venues, large communal gardens, parks and many residential buildings. Because of the restoration, today, you can enjoy the recreational park, and learn about the city's history and Galician community, as well as the amazing viewpoint.

San Pedro park is relitavely new, as it was only opened in June 1999. With an area spanning 78000 m2, it is one of the main tourist attractions of the city, for both tourists and visitors who go to enjoy the views.

It has large green areas, ancient coastal artillery guns, a restaurant, a picnic area with a barbecue and a spectacular viewpoint and observing point -which you will find in the famous dome in the center of the park.

Today, it has been restructured so that you can appreciate the best view of the city from up there. However, its former function has still been reserved, since it was once the centre of defense for the city. The coastal artillery cannons are still a part of the park, as they are on display alongside the road there.

Seeing these cannons remind you of the city's history and are a backdrop to some of the most typical photos in Coruña, where you can go to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

In addition to the cannons, you can visit the underground shelters and barracks, from when the army used the mountain as the defensive centre point.

A little bit of history: the significance of the canyons on San Pedro mountain

This set of cannons formed part of the coastal defence of Spain, during the first two wars of the 20th century. They were forgotten about for many years after the war, until the city decided to restore the area.

The 'Vickers' cannons, which are 17 meters long, were transported by sea via detachable rails to get to where they are now. These devices were first used in December 1933 and for 40 years until 1977, only 19 shots were fired from them.

With the bullets weighing a massive 885kg, reaching a speed of 98km when fired, they provided certain security for the Galician, Corruñan and Ferrol cities.

What is there to see in the San Pedro Park?

In the park, you can visit its numerous gardens and there is a pond in one quieter area, where there used to be ducks a few years ago. As you continue through the park, you will see the city from a different persepctive as you reach the more 'rural' paths, passing through the countryside, walking along the side of the mountain.

Cúpula Atlántica - San Pedro Viewing Point

One of the most popular attractions of the park is the viewing point which offers a platform of 360º views of the city.

This centre-point is a viewpoint which allows visitors to be transported to some of the most incredible parts in the city of Coruña, thanks to its various displays and set of 5 touch-screens (one which is accessible for disabled people to use), which teach you about the city's history and important dates.

As well as a viewpoint, the dome hides a water reserve which the viewpoint is built upon. On the first level is the viewpoint which has a few benches, but the front of the viewpoint is clear from anything that might obstruct the 360º views. Either with stairs or a lift (the access is designed for those with disabilities too), you can get to the second level which has an area of 664m2. This is where the most interactive and educational area is. The two different interactions are both shown on a set of 6 screens, they are:

• 'La mirada dinámica': this is shown on 6 screens and is both a "report / documentary" about the origin and culture of the city and its inhabitants.
• 'La mirada indiscreta': each of the 6 screens show different recordings of the Tower of Hercules, the harbor, the park of Santa Margarita and Bens, and the Castle of St. Anton, which are also famous places in the city.

The maze

Outside the dome are other leisure activites, including a maze made of Italian plants (on more than one occasion it has took me a few minutes to find the exit despite its relatively easy design). The hedges are two meters high so you lose your bearings as soon as you are inside of it! After looking at a drawing of its layout, it is much easier to work it out and find a way out, however, the first time someone enters you don't have a clue where you are so it is a lot of fun to try and find the exit.

Restaurant- Cafe

One is located at the entrance and has an area especially for children to go and play in. It is an extraordinary restaurant with an all glass front, offering amazing views of the entire city.

Everyone I know who has been there has said the same thing: it is worth going because of its service and great location, not to mention of course the high quality of food. The menu is mostly Galician dishes, however it is not suitable for everyone, the prices are quite steep.

If anyone is interested in visiting, you can go on this link. It is worth checking it out and I also think it is safest if you book in advance.

Information

• Contact number: 981 100 823
• Hours: Sundays to Thursdays: 13. 30 to 15. 30
• Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays: 13. 30 to 15. 30 and 21. 00 to 23. 30

At the front of the restaurant, there is a terrace where customers of the restaurant can park, situated on the edge of the mountain so you can enjoy even more views of the city and the bay.

Panoramic elevator

In 2006, an elevator was built which takes you up a steep edge of the mountain. It lasts 3 minutes 20 seconds and is another reason you have to visit San Pedro. It is made of glass and is completely transparent, and holds 25 people per cubicle. It overlooks the entire Orzán Cove.

People's opinions on the elevator differ a lot, but it generally depends on whether you ask a person from Coruña or a tourist. Generally, people from outside of Coruña are more impressed, they tend to say they wouldn't do it again but they are glad that they did it once. The views although beautiful, are a bit disappointing and not much different from what you can see from the standard viewing point, which you don't have to pay for.

How to get to San Pedro Mountain?

There are several options to get to the mountain: by car, by bus, on foot or you can use the lift. It is located at the highest point of the urbanisation. Once you get to “Los Rosales” (name of the urbanisaton), you can ask somewhere where to go, yet having been there a few times, you will see the signs that will direct you up the mountain.

If you want to drive, there is free parking for those visiting the park.

On the other hand, you can take a bus from anywhere in the city for “Los Rosales”, and from there you can reach the park on foot. Depending on whether you want to walk or not, you can take another bus, however the best ones are the number 12 and 14.

From “Los Rosales”, all you have to do is follow the signs to San Pedro. There is a small hill you have to walk up but it isn't very steep and it can be a very nice walk, so it is suitable for everyone. It is a perfectly easy option to access it by foot. In addition, it is a great path to enjoy the sights of the city.

To get to the elevator, you have to go a different way. You have to walk along the path until you get to a steep part of the mountain. It is hidden under a road which is only used to access the lift, so you probably won't see this part of the mountain unless you are specifically visiting it.

Prices and opening times of the park

The price to enter the park is completely free, it doesn't cost anything.

The hours to access the San Pedro park are as followed:

During the winter season between 1 October to 30 April, the park is open all week except Sunday.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm
• Friday and Saturday: from 11 am to 10 pm

During the summer season between the 1 April to 30 September, the hours are the same everyday:

• Everyday: From 10 am to 10 pm.

Opening hours, prices and schedule of the panoramic lift

The price is 3 euros per trip (either going up or down).

As well as this, you can hire the lift for private events to use after hours for 300 euros (for 4 hours at most) or 100 euros for two trips (round trip ).

Opening hours

During the winter season, between 1 October and 30 April, the elevator is open to visitors all week except Sunday, since the park is closed then too, and the Monday, it is closed for maintenance.

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm
• Saturday: from 11 am to 9 pm

During the summer season from 1 April to 30 September, the hours are the same:

• Every day: From 11:30 am to 9 pm

Schedule

There is no specific times that it goes up and down as it depends on the number of people who want to use it.

Usually, the first trip down is at 11:30 am, and the first one back up at 11: 45. This normally means there is one every half an hour, but, like I said before, this depends on the number of visitors.

Opening times and prices of Dome Atlántica

The general price is 2 euros each.

Opening times

During the winter season between 1 October and 30 April, the Atlantic dome viewpoint is open all week except Sunday and Monday (when it is closed for maintenance), like the elevator:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm
• Saturday: from 11 am to 9 pm

During the summer season between 1 April and 30 September, the hours are the same.

The other tarrifs to access the dome and the lift

Reduced rate: 1. 5 euros per trip (one-way) which is for those over 65, with a student card or groups on a reserved visit.

Free of charge: for children under 8 years, educational trips from Coruña, or visits sponsored by the council.

If you still have any doubt, you will find all this information on the website.

Hello, I would like to recommend Monte de San Pedro in La Coruña as great place to visit. It's a hill nearby the city with awesome environment and horizont.

The trip to Monte begins on beaches of La Coruña a and continues along the ocean coast. You can go there by two ways. First you can go up to the hill by interesting cableway, Second you can go by your feet. I recommend go up by cable way and down by your feet. Both options have own magic.

Meanwhile you go along the coast you can see Milenium obelisk and monumental statue of Octopus. The octopus looks great on all kinds of pictures you will take there!

Finally, we reached the top of the hill and we can see great view on ocean and the city. You can observe romantic sunset there or big ships travelling from or to the city harbor. On the hill you can also find charming park, which is great place for a rest. Girls can be amazed by romantic nature and views, guys are gonna be impressed by strong batteries, which remained threre like a witnesses of the history, because there used to be military fortress to protect the city against sea attacks.

To sum Monte de San Pedro is one of the best places I have ever seen, so do not forget to go to Spain to visit north of the county. It's much more interesting than the visit of the south. You will not believe until you see!