Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Bragança > Vinhais > Vilar Seco de Lomba
The Vilar Seco Pillory, also known as the Vilar Seco da Lomba Pillory, stands in the picturesque village of Vilar Seco de Lomba, located within the municipality of Vinhais, in the heart of the Bragança district, in Trás-os-Montes. Its presence marks a landmark in the traditional village setting, integrating into the rural and mountainous landscape that characterizes this northeastern Trás-os-Montes region. It is usually found in a central area, near what would have been the ancient centers of community life, inviting a careful observation of its surroundings and the granite houses that encircle it.
This monument represents a tangible testimony to Portugal's administrative and judicial history. At its essence, a pillory was the symbol of a municipality's autonomy and jurisdiction, where edicts were displayed and, in earlier times, public punishments were carried out. Its existence in Vilar Seco da Lomba signals the historical importance of this locality, once a center of local power and decision-making. Upon visiting this monument, one's gaze goes back in time, imagining the central role this pillar played in the daily life of the community.
Built predominantly of granite, a material abundant in the Trás-os-Montes region, the Vilar Seco da Lomba Pillory showcases the robustness and simplicity characteristic of the civil architecture of its era. While specific details may vary, it is common to find a solid base, a shaft (column), and a capital that may or may not feature decorative or symbolic elements, such as crosses or spheres. Its structure, sometimes devoid of elaborate ornamentation, reflects a sober yet no less significant functionality, harmoniously integrating into the landscape of stone and nature of Northeastern Portugal.
Beyond its architectural and historical value, the Vilar Seco da Lomba Pillory functions as a link between past and present, keeping alive the memory of bygone eras and contributing to the cultural identity of the village. It is a point of quietude and reflection, where the stone speaks of centuries of history, laws, community, and the evolution of rural life in Portugal. Its presence is an invitation to understand the roots and resilience of the people of Trás-os-Montes.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelourinho_de_Vilar_Seco
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.8797397138476, -7.173111396513632
Coordinates DMS: 41°52'47.1"N 07°10'23.2"W
On-duty Pharmacy Vilar Seco de Lomba
