Ferrol, Spain

Ferrol serves as gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Santiago de Compostela and the Tower of Hercules, located in A Coruña. It also offers entrée to Galicia’s many lovely beaches and quaint towns. The port city rose to prominence in the 18^th century when King Ferdinand VI established Northern Spain’s largest arsenal here; and its illustrious martime past is on display at the old shipbuilding yards, naval museum and Captaincy Palace. The latter is located in La Magdalena, Ferrol’s newer planned district recognized for its impressive collections of Modernista buildings. This Ferrol Vello district is a starting point for The English Way, one of many pilgrimage routes to Compostela, and the historic neighborhood still maintains a medieval vibe. The Castillo de San Felipe, a military fortress dating from 1557, offers outstanding views across the Ferrol estuary.