A Coruña Town Hall

A Coruña Town Hall stands on Plaza de María Pita, the main square of A Coruña, a port city in Galicia on Spain's Atlantic coast. Also known locally as the Palacio Municipal, the building remains the seat of the city's local government today.

What is the history behind the building?

Construction ran from 1908 to 1912, based on a design begun by architect Pedro Mariño. The town hall was raised in an eclectic style with clear Art Nouveau (modernista) touches, typical of Spanish architecture at the turn of the 20th century. King Alfonso XIII officially inaugurated the building in 1927.

What does the building look like?

The facade stretches 64 metres and features 43 windows along with 15 arches forming wide arcaded galleries (soportales), echoing the style of the buildings that line the rest of the square. The structure covers roughly 2,300 square metres and rises three floors plus an attic level.

The square itself was laid out in 1877 by architect Juan de Ciórraga, after the demolition of the city's old defensive walls. Plaza de María Pita forms a large rectangle covering more than 10,000 square metres, framed on all sides by buildings that share the same arcaded ground-floor design.

Where exactly is it located?

The town hall sits at the heart of A Coruña, right by the old town and within easy walking distance of the harbour. Its position makes the square a natural starting point for exploring the historic quarter and the seafront promenade beyond it.

How do you get there?

Plaza de María Pita is centrally located and walkable from the train station and the port, where cruise ships regularly call. It is one of the most recognisable landmarks in A Coruña, so locals can point you there easily by name once you are in the city centre.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The square is one of the largest of its kind in Spain, and its uniform arcaded architecture is worth taking in from beneath the porticoes that surround it. The town hall's facade, with its long row of windows and distinctive towers, is among the most photographed sights in the city. Since A Coruña sits directly on the Atlantic, the harbour and coastal promenade are only a short walk from the square.

When is the best time to visit?

A Coruña has a mild oceanic climate typical of the Galician Atlantic coast, with cooler summers than inland Spain and mild winters. The square and town hall can be visited year-round, though spring and autumn tend to be more pleasant, with fewer visitors than during the peak summer season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Coruña Town Hall? It is the city hall (Palacio Municipal) of A Coruña in Galicia, seat of the local government, built between 1908 and 1912.

Who designed the building? The design was begun by architect Pedro Mariño, and the building combines an eclectic style with Art Nouveau elements.

Where does the town hall stand? On Plaza de María Pita, the main square of A Coruña, laid out in 1877 by architect Juan de Ciórraga.

Can visitors go inside the town hall? The building functions as the city's administrative headquarters; visitors can admire the facade and arcades from outside year-round.