Murça

Murça is a municipality in northern Portugal. The population in 2011 was 5,952, in an area of 189.37 km². It is situated in the central part of the eastern district of Vila Real, and consigned to the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro region. The town of Murça, seat of the municipal government, is on average 40 kilometres from many of the major urban centres of the region. Murça's proximity to Vila Real and access to the IP4 motorway makes Murça potentially advantageous to development.HistoryAlthough there are no clear references to the origin of this community, most suspect that it extends to Celtic period, primarily due to the Porca de Murça (Pig of Murça), a celebrated monument to a wildboar (and presumably a Celtic divinity).The first references to the region of Murça appeared in the Inquirições (inquiries/inventory) of King Afonso II. Municipal autonomy became a reality in the 13th century, when King Sancho II issued a foral (charter) on 8 May 1224. This was later confirmed and elaborated by Afonso III on 10 January 1268. Similar charters were elaborated on 18 April 1304 and 9 May 1512, by Kings Denis and Manuel, respectively.During the Liberal Revolution (18th century) Murça five Counts were honoured by King John VI of Portugal.