Pillory of Evoramonte

Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory

District: Évora > Estremoz > Évora Monte > Bairro Mourique

Location:

The Pillory of Evoramonte is situated in the heart of the walled village, occupying an elevated position on the steep slope where the castle stands. It is on one of the oldest streets in the town, currently known as Rua da Convenção, and can be seen in front of the building that once served as the Town Hall.

Traces of the Past

Of the ancient Pillory of Evoramonte, what essentially remains is its plinth, a robust block of ashlar in white marble from the quarries of Estremoz. This plinth has a parallelepiped shape and is solidary with the base of the column that once existed.

The shaft, the cylindrical column that stood upon the base, was broken at an uncertain period last century. Currently, some fragments of this shaft have a curious new function, being used as weights in the mechanism of the clock in the village's main church tower.

Symbol of Local Authority

At the time it was erected, probably during the 16th century, the pillory played a crucial role. It was the place where justice was administered and public punishments were applied. Its presence symbolized the jurisdiction and municipal autonomy of the village of Évora Monte, a physical landmark of the local power granted by royal charters.

Classified Heritage

Although not complete, the Pillory of Evoramonte is recognized for its historical and cultural value. It was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1933, which underscores its importance as a testament to the past and to the administrative and judicial organization of Évora Monte throughout the centuries.

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