Pillory

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Bragança > Macedo de Cavaleiros > Macedo de Cavaleiros > Vale de Prados

Location

The Pillory of Vale de Prados is located in the main square of the locality of Vale de Prados, which belongs to the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros. This historic monument stands in an isolated position, rising in front of an imposing 18th-century church, creating a scene of cultural interest in the heart of the village.

Its central position in the square allows for an unobstructed view, inviting a pause to appreciate the history that resides there. The surroundings are marked by residential buildings, contributing to the characteristic ambiance of this urban area.

Witness to Eras

This Pillory is a fundamental landmark in the history of Vale de Prados, classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1933. Originally, these monuments served as pillars of jurisdiction and justice in ancient villages, places where municipal authority was publicly exercised. Its existence in Vale de Prados harks back to a period when the locality possessed significant autonomy and the capacity to administer its own justice.

Its probable construction in the 17th century underlines its long permanence through time. Vale de Prados benefited from various royal charters throughout the centuries, including one granted by King Dinis in 1287 and another by King Manuel I in 1510, which reinforces the pillory's role as a representation of that local sovereignty and power before the extinction of the municipality in 1836.

Style and Symbolism

Carved from granite ashlar, the Pillory of Vale de Prados features a remarkable structure. It rests on an octagonal plinth with three steps, which supports a monolithic octagonal shaft. At the top of the column, a round capital displays an equal-armed cross, enriched with zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures on its ends and in the spaces between them, where representations of the sun and moon can also be distinguished.

The finial, parallelepipedal in shape, is richly decorated. On the front face, the arms of Portugal are found, flanked by a human figure with open arms. On the opposite face, a bull in relief stands out, and on the side faces, a cushion contains a lozenge. These decorative and heraldic elements lend the pillory a particular aesthetic and symbolic value, telling part of the history and identity of the land that hosts it.

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