THE world’s oldest Roman lighthouse has been declared a UNESCO heritage site following a meeting of the international organisation in Sevilla yesterday.

This means that Spain’s UNESCO heritage sites have now reached 41, the second-highest number in the world after Italy.

The Torre de Hércules in A Coruña (Galicia) is said to be of ‘exceptional cultural value’ and its new status is hoped to make tourism to the north-western region take off.

Mayor of A Coruña, Javier Losada (PSOE) called yesterday ‘an historic day’ for the city.

Built in the second century and the only remaining Roman lighthouse in the world that is still in use, the 59-metre tower was reformed in 1790.

Despite its Neoclassical exterior, the lighthouse’s interior houses Roman remains.

Residents and authorities in Galicia have long been clamouring for the tower to be recognised by UNESCO.

They raised a petition of 320,000 signatures and sent 20,000 ‘virtual hugs’, in which internet surfers were invited to ‘hug the tower’ in support of the cause.

The selection process has been ongoing since 2007, says Losada.