Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Bragança > Bragança > Outeiro
Situated in the serene locality of Outeiro, within the municipality and district of Bragança, the Pelourinho and Casa da Câmara ensemble stands as one of the most emblematic and central elements of its urban fabric. It is typically found in a main square or plaza, bearing witness to the community life that unfolded there over the centuries. Its position offers visitors an authentic perspective on the peaceful and historic atmosphere of this Transmontano village, integrating harmoniously into the local architectural landscape.
The Pelourinho, as a stone monument, is an eloquent testament to municipal autonomy and the administration of justice in bygone times. It marked the spot where edicts were proclaimed and punishments were carried out, symbolizing the jurisdiction and manorial or royal power over the locality. Its presence in Outeiro attests to the historical importance of the settlement as the seat of significant jurisdictional power, reflecting a period when the village played a central role in the administrative organization of the region.
Beside it, the Casa da Câmara, which literally and figuratively means the "House of the Council," was once the heart of local administration. This building hosted meetings of the municipal body, bureaucratic services, and, in many cases, municipal archives, serving as the nerve center of the land's governance. Together, the Pelourinho and Casa da Câmara represent the pillars of a community's social and political organization in the past.
Both structures, although distinct in their function, complement each other in representing traditional Portuguese civil architecture. The Pelourinho of Outeiro, like most of its counterparts, is often a robust stone column, culminating in decorative sculptural elements, such as a capital and a finial, sometimes bearing the national shield or local symbols. Its robustness and artistic details are indicative of its importance and dignity.
The Casa da Câmara, in turn, exhibits sober and functional architecture, characteristic of the civil constructions of the Transmontano region. Its solidity and the simplicity of its lines reflect the pragmatic aesthetics of the era and the resilience of the local people. The ensemble offers a fascinating glimpse into the civic and judicial practices of the past, constituting an important material and immaterial legacy that preserves the historical and cultural memory of Outeiro for future generations.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.6844257,-6.5988345
Coordinates DMS: 41°41'3.9"N 06°35'55.8"W
Weather Outeiro
On-duty Pharmacy Outeiro
