The House-Museum of María Pita is located on the site where, in the 16th century, was a house owned by Juan Alonso de Rois, the first husband of the heroine of A Coruña. On his death, the building was inherited by the couple’s daughter, María Alonso de Rois.
The permanent exhibition recreates two rooms of María Pita's parents' house, the shop, which was located on the ground floor, and the main bedroom. There is also an overview of the history of the Kingdom of Galicia and A Coruña in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the causes and development of the English attack of 1589.
María Pita, who was actually called Mayor Fernández de Cámara y Pita, is famous for her important role during the siege of the English corsair Sir Francis Drake to the city of A Coruña in May 1589. Her third husband, Gregorio Rocamonde, died in the course of the battle. When the storming of the wall seemed to be complete, María managed to kill the English lieutenant who was leading the assault by snatching the lance from the flag. According to the legend, this act and her cry of “"If you have honour, follow me" gave the defenders courage to repel the attack.