Monumento aos Fusilados da Republica

Monumento aos Fusilados da República is a memorial to victims of the Spanish Civil War, standing on the Campo da Rata hill in A Coruña, right next to the famous Tower of Hercules. It is one of the few sites in Galicia that addresses the repression under Franco's regime so directly, and it still carries the weight of that history.

What is this place?

The monument was designed by Isaac Díaz Pardo (1920–2011), one of the most important Galician artists and cultural figures of the 20th century, also known as a co-founder of the Sargadelos ceramics workshop. It was unveiled in 2001 on grounds where, during the post-Civil War repression, prisoners from the nearby Provincial Prison were executed. The site's name itself, Campo da Rata, has long been associated by locals with those tragic events.

The monument takes the form of a circle of standing stone blocks, echoing prehistoric structures such as Stonehenge. That reference is deliberate: the raw, upright stone slabs are meant to inspire solemn reflection rather than deliver a literal, figurative message. Their surfaces bear inscriptions and fragments of poetry, giving the site the character of a poetic memorial rather than a conventional statue-based monument.

How do you get there?

Monumento aos Fusilados sits along the walking route to the Tower of Hercules, surrounded by green space and coastal paths that run along A Coruña's shoreline. The easiest way to reach it is on foot, combining the visit with the UNESCO-listed lighthouse itself and the nearby Sculpture Park. The area is well connected to the city centre by bus lines running out to the peninsula where the tower stands.

What will you see on site?

A ring of stone blocks set on a grassy rise, overlooking the ocean and the rocky coastline near As Lapas beach. The site is quiet and free of typical tourist infrastructure — no ticket booths, no signage clutter, no crowds. It's worth taking a close look at the inscriptions carved into the stones, since they carry lines of poetry about loss and memory rather than plain dates or names.

Thanks to its exposed hilltop position, the monument frames a wide view over the A Coruña bay, making it a natural stop for a short rest between the city centre and the Tower of Hercules.

When should you visit?

The site is open around the clock and free to enter, as part of an open public space. The best time to visit is morning or early afternoon, when the light falls well on the stone blocks and temperatures on the exposed, shadeless hill are more comfortable. It's worth avoiding especially windy days — being close to the ocean and fully exposed, the spot can feel breezy year-round.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, it's an open public space, free to visit at any time of year.

Who designed the monument? It was created by Isaac Díaz Pardo, a Galician artist and designer, known among other things for the Sargadelos ceramics brand.

What exactly does the monument commemorate? It honours people executed on this site during the Francoist repression that followed the Spanish Civil War, linked to the former Provincial Prison that once stood nearby.

Can it be combined with other nearby sights? Yes — it lies on the walking route to the UNESCO-listed Tower of Hercules and near the Sculpture Park, making it easy to plan as part of one longer coastal walk.