Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Coimbra > Penela > Penela
The Pillory of Penela is located in the heart of the town, in the area known as Hortas. Its central location integrates it into the historical fabric of Penela, inviting visitors to discover the traditional atmosphere of this town in the Coimbra district. From this point, it is possible to observe the urban surroundings that have shaped the community's life over the centuries, in a setting that reflects the identity and history of the municipality.
This stone monument is a symbol of the history and municipal autonomy of Penela. Its construction is intrinsically linked to the period when Portuguese towns received their charters (forais), documents that granted them rights and duties, including the power to administer justice locally. The pillory thus served as the place where punishments were carried out and where the authority of the municipal or royal power was displayed, making it a central landmark of civic and legal life in the past. It represents the sovereignty and capacity for self-government that Penela, like other historical towns, gained over time.
The Pillory of Penela features an architecture reminiscent of the Manueline style, prevalent in Portugal during the 15th and 16th centuries. The monument rests on a base of four quadrangular steps, from which an octagonal shaft rises. This main element of the column is topped by a capital that displays a detailed composition, reminiscent of a latticework cage, characteristic of the Manueline period.
At its top, the structure culminates in a cone, surmounted by an armillary sphere, which is in turn finished with a small conical pyramid. The armillary sphere is an emblem associated with the Portuguese Discoveries and King Manuel I, linking the monument to an era of global expansion. The light-coloured stone used in its construction highlights the carved details and its presence in the urban landscape.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelourinho_de_Penela
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.03018169066692, -8.390914443742382
Coordinates DMS: 40°01'48.7"N 08°23'27.3"W
On-duty Pharmacy Penela
