Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Braga > Amares > Amares > Frecheiro
The Amares Pillory is located in the town of Amares, within the eponymous municipality, in the heart of the Braga district. More specifically, it is found in Frecheiro, in an area that once represented a focal point of community life. Its prominent presence, often in open spaces or squares, suggests the importance the location held in the daily life of the population. Its surroundings offer a perspective on the local urban fabric and the monument's connection to the municipality's history.
The Amares Pillory, like most Portuguese pillories, is a monument that symbolizes municipal power and the autonomy of a locality. Often erected after the granting of a charter (foral), it marked the place where justice was publicly administered, functioning as a punishment post, but also as a testament to local authority. Its existence in Amares dates back to a period when the town asserted its identity and jurisdiction, serving as a visible landmark of that sovereignty.
This type of monument played a central role in the civic and legal life of Portuguese towns and cities over several centuries. Its continued existence to this day is an invitation to reflect on past forms of social and judicial organization, making the Amares Pillory a valuable link to the deeper history of the region and the country.
Classified within the typology of civil architecture, the Amares Pillory is a stone structure typically composed of a raised base, a shaft (column), a capital, and a finial. Its construction from local stone gives it a harmonious integration into the landscape. Although the details may vary among each pillory, the Amares one exhibits the distinctive characteristics that identify it as a representative example of this type of heritage.
Observing its design up close allows one to appreciate the craftsmanship of the artisans of the era and the robust simplicity that characterizes many of these works. The pillory's finial, in particular, can sometimes display symbolic elements, such as crosses, armillary spheres, or heraldic emblems, which reinforce its historical significance and its connection to local identity. It is a monument that, in its simplicity, invites contemplation and recognition of its patrimonial value.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelourinho_de_Amares
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.6312364,-8.3516309
Coordinates DMS: 41°37'52.5"N 08°21'5.9"W
Weather Amares
On-duty Pharmacy Amares
