The municipality is located on the north and west bank of the lake in an exceptionally beautiful spot housing the magnificent Romanesque church of Santa Maria de Porqueres. It is known there were human settlements in the area in the prehistoric period. Some of the most important remains are a fossilised human jaw – also known as the jaw of Banyoles – and the dolmens of Les Closes and Pujarnol. The population of Porqueres has grown considerably over the last century and there are presently six towns with more than 4,000 inhabitants.