Castro de Elviña
An Iron Age Celtic hillfort settlement on the southern edge of the city, with circular stone house foundations, ramparts and an underground well.
Castro de Elviña is one of Galicia's most important Iron Age castro hillfort settlements. People have lived here since around the 4th century BCE; it remained in use through the Roman period and was abandoned around the 3rd to 4th centuries CE. The site sits on a small hill south of the city, where layers of ramparts enclose dozens of circular and rectangular stone house foundations. The best-known feature is a rock-cut well with steps leading underground; gold ornaments and Roman-era objects have been excavated here. An on-site visitor centre explains the archaeological finds, and archaeology open days and guided tours are often held in summer. Admission is free or low-cost, but opening dates are limited, so check the A Coruña Municipal Museum website before you go. It is about 5 km from the city centre; take a bus to the Elviña university district and walk from there.
Opening hours
Seasonal opening, mostly weekends and summer (check the city museum's official website)
Nearby sights
- Casa de las Ciencias & Santa Margarita Park
- Mercado de la Plaza de Lugo
- Riazor & Orzán Beaches
- MUNCYT A Coruña
- Galerías de la Marina
- Calle de la Franja & Calle de la Estrella
- Castle of San Antón
- Plaza de María Pita