Pillory of Vila Cova de Alva

Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory

District: Coimbra > Arganil > Vila Cova de Alva > Praça do Doutor Luís da Costa Faria

Style and Period

, Manueline monument from the 16th century.

, Quadrangular base with three steps.

, Octagonal column with decorated capital.

Location

, Praça Dr. Luís da Costa Faria, Vila Cova de Alva, municipality of Arganil.

, In front of the Igreja da Misericórdia (Church of Mercy).

Architectural Characteristics

, Octagonal shaft (column) with decorated faces.

, Square capital with ornamented corners.

, Pinnacle decorated with zoomorphic elements (animal figures).

History

, Granted by charter of King D. Manuel in 1514.

, Symbolizes the administrative power of the time.

Materials

, Built in granite.

Classification

, Property of Public Interest since 1933.

Local Curiosity

, Popular legend about a hole in the shaft: it is said that whoever manages to insert their finger into this hole will obtain amnesty.

, More likely, the hole would have served to fix an iron used in the detention of criminals.

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