Pillory of Serém

Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory

District: Aveiro > Águeda > Serém

Location:

The Serém Pillory is located in a small square in the center of the village of Serém, municipality of Águeda. Its current position results from a reinstallation carried out in 2002, after the monument had been disassembled and dispersed for decades. The space where it now stands is peaceful and easily accessible, integrating naturally into the village's urban fabric.

Surrounding it, the landscape is characterized by a rural and serene environment, with traditional houses and some vegetation, reflecting the local identity. Its elevated location allows for some visual appreciation of the surroundings, albeit discreet.

Historical Context

The pillory is associated with the former administrative autonomy of Serém, which was a municipality in its own right until the early 19th century. Serém received a Manueline charter in 1514, which justifies the existence of a pillory as a symbol of municipal and judicial power of the time.

Although the precise date of its original construction is unknown, its style suggests a 16th-century origin. This type of monument was common in chartered towns, serving as a mark of seigneurial or royal authority and, often, linked to the administration of justice.

Architectural Features

The Serém Pillory features a plinth of two quadrangular steps in stonework, with a cubic base of chamfered and heavily eroded edges. The shaft, of octagonal section, rises in a simple and elegant manner. The capital is a prismatic block decorated with pointed shields, one of which is carved with the arms of Portugal.

The absence of a top finial gives it an unfinished appearance, though this is not uncommon in examples from small localities. The current structure results from a reconstruction using original pieces, some of which, according to oral tradition, had served as support for a porch in a private residence.

Memory and Valorization

The recovery of the pillory and its reinstallation in 2002 demonstrate the local community's effort to preserve the historical memory of the place. The choice of the central square to house it reinforces its symbolic value as an identity landmark of the village.

Since 1934, the monument has been classified as a Property of Public Interest, which recognizes its historical and patrimonial significance in the local and regional context. Its presence invites contemplation and reflection on the history of small communities and their former autonomous powers.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt