Publications
Understanding climate risks to world cultural heritage: a systematic analysis and assessment framework for the case of Spain
A systematic analysis identifies the Tower of Hercules and four other Spanish UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WCHS) as highly vulnerable to climate risks, including freeze-thaw cycles, thermal stress, hydrodynamic forces, corrosion, and biodegradation. The study, based on historical climate data and impact mechanisms, quantifies these risks across 45 WCHS in Spain, revealing that achieving carbon neutrality (SSP1-2.6 scenario) significantly reduces climate risk. This research provides a framework for assessing climate vulnerabilities in cultural heritage, offering critical insights for targeted conservation strategies.
Analysis of the Tower of Hercules, the World’s Oldest Extant Lighthouse
The Tower of Hercules stands as the world's oldest extant lighthouse, offering a unique lens to study the evolution of maritime signaling and navigation systems from antiquity to modern times. This Roman-era structure, still functional today, showcases an exceptional case of architectural intervention: its 18th-century restoration by Eustaquio Giannini preserved its authenticity while applying scientific principles. The study highlights its continuous role in guiding ships, making it a paradigmatic example of how ancient monuments adapt to contemporary needs without compromising historical integrity.
Constructive and Historical Analysis of the Tower of Hercules: Ancient Roman Lighthouse Still in Use
The Tower of Hercules, the world's only surviving Roman lighthouse, stands as both a functional maritime beacon and a testament to architectural preservation. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, it continues its original purpose—guiding ships—while serving as a case study for the evolution of navigation aids from antiquity to modern times. A key finding is the successful 18th-century restoration by Eustaquio Giannini, which applied scientific principles while preserving the monument's authenticity. This chapter offers a descriptive analysis focusing on its historical and constructive aspects, providing insights into ancient engineering techniques and their enduring legacy.
Inner wall filler as a singular and significant source of indoor radon pollution in heritage buildings: An exhalation method-based approach
A significant source of indoor radon pollution in heritage buildings, such as the Tower of Hercules in Corunna, Spain, has been identified: inner wall fillers used in thick structural elements like bearing walls and vaults. These fillers exhibit radon exhalation rates comparable to those found in soils, often one to two orders of magnitude higher than the construction materials themselves (e.g., granite). The study employed an exhalation method-based approach, revealing that these fillers contribute substantially to indoor radon concentrations uniformly across building storeys, regardless of elevation or distance from the soil. This challenges conventional assumptions that soil is the primary source of radon gas and suggests that mitigation strategies must address emissions from all sources, including inner wall fillers.
A Coruña, Cidade Herculina: Hercules as Founder of Cities
The foundation myth of A Coruña, attributing its origins to Hercules' defeat of the giant Geryon and subsequent city founding, persists as a significant cultural narrative in contemporary Galician history. This myth, popularized in medieval texts like the Estoria de España, blends Roman and Celtic traditions, symbolizing the triumph over tyranny and the arrival of civilization. While the Tower of Hercules stands as the iconic monument embodying this legend, recent cultural initiatives, such as a sculptural garden on the site, also incorporate alternative foundational accounts, including the Celtic legend of Breogan. The study explores how these enduring myths shape A Coruña's identity and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting their continued relevance in local history and tourism.
San Pedro Leucogranite from a Coruña, Northwest of Spain: Uses of a Heritage Stone
San Pedro leucogranite, sourced from A Coruña in northwest Spain, emerges as a significant heritage stone due to its distinctive color, rarity, and petrophysical properties. This study highlights its historical use in monumental structures, including the UNESCO-listed Hercules Tower lighthouse, which underscores its potential for designation as a Global Heritage Stone Resource. The research approach combines geological analysis with architectural documentation, emphasizing the stone's unique characteristics that have made it a preferred material for medieval monuments such as churches and tombstones.
The Legendary Traditions about the Tower of Hercules (A Coruña, Spain)
The Tower of Hercules, Spain's iconic Roman lighthouse, is steeped in legendary traditions that span centuries. This study reveals how myths, such as the battle between Hercules and Geryon or the invasion of the Almujuces, were collected by Alfonso X in his History of Spain and trace their origins through earlier versions. It also explores related folklore, including Ireland's Tower of Breogan and Iberian tales like Trezenzonius, highlighting the lighthouse's cultural significance beyond its historical role. The research methodically reviews these traditions to contextualize their evolution and enduring influence on regional identity.
Synthesis of Axially Chiral 1,1′‐Binaphthalenes by Palladium‐Catalysed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Triorganoindium Reagents (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 13/2013)
Researchers have developed a highly versatile and enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 1,1′-binaphthalenes using palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with triorganoindium reagents. This method allows for the transfer of three groups attached to the indium atom, offering significant flexibility in molecular design. The study highlights that the best enantiomeric excesses are achieved using (R,S)-PPFA as a chiral ligand, enabling precise control over the stereochemistry of the products. Conducted against the backdrop of the Tower of Hercules, Spain's oldest lighthouse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this work advances synthetic organic chemistry by providing a robust approach to generating complex chiral molecules with potential applications in pharmaceuticals and materials science.
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