Muxía

Muxía
Muxía
	Muxía town hall
	Coat of arms
	Nickname: Muxía
	Location ofMuxíawithinGalicia
Population (2018)
• Total	4,736
Time zone	UTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2(CEST)

Muxía(Galician pronunciation:[muˈʃi.ɐ];Spanish:Mugía[muˈxi.a]) is a coastal town and municipality in theprovince of A Coruñain the autonomous community ofGaliciain northwesternSpain.It belongs to thecomarcaofFisterra.It is one of the final destinations for pilgrims on theWay of St. Jamesafter visiting the shrine of theapostle Saint James the GreatinSantiago de Compostela.^[2]

Muxía is known for its beaches. It has an active fishing industry.

Muxía is part of the 'Costa da Morte' or 'Costa de la Muerte' (i.e., the "Coast of Death" ). The Costa Da Morte was given this name because of the large number of shipwrecks along its rocky shore. The Costa Da Morte is one of the three regions of theCosta del Marisco,or "The Seafood Coast."

Muxía is 3 kilometers from a famousBenedictinemonastery that is now used as a church, theChurch of San Xulián de Moraime.The name of the town, "Muxía", refers to the monks who established this monastery. Another famous church in the area is theSantuario da Virxe da Barcawhich stands on a rocky ridge above the surf.

There are several locations along the Costa da Morte that have a "pedra de abalar",(i.e., an" oscillating stone "), orrocking stone.One of these is in Muxía, the "Pedra da Barca". These are large stones that are balanced on a point, so that they can be moved back and forth easily, or even wiggle in response to the wind. These were used at one time to determine the guilt or innocence of those accused of serious crimes.

There was aserious oil spillinvolving theoil tanker "Prestige"along the Muxía part of the coast in November, 2002, leaking about 70,000 gallons of oil into theAtlantic.

History

In the 5th century and 6th century,Galiciawas part of theGermanic Suevikingdom. TheMoorsreplaced the Germanic rulers, who were displaced in the 8th or 9th century by the king ofAsturias.

The monastery near Muxía was named "Mosteiro de Moraime" to honor the saint, San Xiao de Moraime, and was established in the early 12th century. Not long after, in 1105, it was attacked and destroyed byNormanpirates, and later bySaxons.Alfonso Raimúndez, the future King andEmperor Alfonso VII of León and Castile,had lived in the area when he was younger and was educated by Pedro Froilaz de Traba.^[3]Although he was only 14 at the time, Alfonso restored the monastery with a donation in 1119.

The nearby church dedicated to "Nosa Senora da Barca", the "Santuario da Virxe da Barca"was originally a pre-Christian Celtic shrine and sacred spot. This part of Spain was resistant to conversion toChristianity,and was only converted in the 12th century^{[citation needed]}.The Christians built ahermitageon this location at first, and later the present church in the 17th century. On December 25, 2013, the Santuario da Virxe da Barca was destroyed by a fire caused by lightning.^[4]

Legend has it that St. James the Greater was trying to Christianize the local inhabitants and was having no luck and was discouraged. TheVirgin Maryappeared to St. James to comfort him. The Celtic stones near the church are now said to be remains of the Virgin Mary's stone boat.

Muxía was purchased by King Carlos ofCastile(the Holy Roman EmperorCharles V) in the 16th century so he could have a more convenient port, and thus improve his kingdom's commerce and connections withEngland,where his cousin wasMary I.

Muxía was destroyed in the 19th century byNapoleon´s forces.