A zoomorphic stone sculpture from Protohistory, historic buildings and a walking trail to the Tinhela give Murça several distinct points of interest. You can focus on the town and its local history, or explore the natural features of the Tinhela. Cuisine is also represented by traditional sweets, an oven-baked dish and local produce.

Culture and history in Murça

The Porca de Murça is a distinctive symbol of the town of Murça and a zoomorphic stone sculpture from Protohistory. The Capela da Misericórdia de Murça was built in 1692 and is classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público, or building of public interest. Together with the Igreja Matriz and the Pelourinho, it offers different ways to explore the town’s architectural and cultural history.

The Igreja Matriz de Murça houses a 16th-century triptych by Pedro de França. The Pelourinho Manuelino de Murça dates from the reign of King Manuel I; in 1512, the king granted the town a new charter. The Pelourinho was also included in Portugal’s first 1910 decree classifying older buildings as national monuments.

Murça is also associated with Roman history: a major road ran through the town, linking Astorga to the mouth of the Douro and crossing the Tinhela River. The Ponte e Calçada Romana site is at the entrance to the town and can be reached from the EN15 via a road branching off to the right.

Beyond the town, the municipality of Murça is home to Crasto de Palheiros, also known as Fragada do Castro. In the Terra Quente region of Trás-os-Montes, the site was transformed into a 2.5-hectare prehistoric stone monument between 2900 and 2300 BC. The Casa Museu “Soldado Milhões” opened on 10 April 2023 in Valongo de Milhais, also in the municipality of Murça. Its open exhibition area features photographs, multimedia elements and objects, including originals and replicas, that bring visitors into the soldier’s era.

Walking and nature along the Tinhela

The Trilho dos Passadiços do Tinhela circular trail starts and ends at the Porta de Entrada de Murça of the Parque Natural Regional do Vale do Tua. It passes through the town towards the Tinhela River; the Passadiços do Tinhela provide access from Murça to the river. Starting and finishing at the same point, and following the route described to the Tinhela, gives the trail a clear geographical focus without assuming a walking time or distance.

The Parque Natural Regional do Vale do Tua includes Murça on the right bank of the Tua. One of the steepest areas of the Tua Valley lies at the mouth of the Tinhela. This ecologically distinctive setting is home to 23 rare or endemic moss and lichen species.

Another natural feature is the Microrreserva do Rio Tinhela. Its conditions favour riverbank and river birds such as nightingales, warblers, kingfishers (Alcedo atthis) and grey wagtails (Motacilla cinerea). The Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), a small mammal with protected status, is also especially common there. The nature described here ranges from mosses and lichens in the valley surroundings to bird species and a protected mammal along the Tinhela.

Regional cuisine and produce

Murça’s traditional sweets include Queijadas and Toucinho do Céu. Both are made with chila squash, almonds and egg yolks. The tradition of convent sweets is kept alive today by Maria José, a granddaughter of D. Serafina Alves. A savoury dish in Murça’s cuisine is oven-roasted kid goat, served with small potatoes and oven-baked rice.

Local produce includes olive oil, wine, honey and cheese. The Adega Cooperativa de Murça is based in the town and produces DOC Douro wines under the “Caves de Murça” brand. Alongside regional dishes, wines and other local products are part of Murça’s culinary profile.

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