Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Évora > Alandroal > Terena > Tapada do Pateo
The Pillory of Terena stands in Largo do Pelourinho, also known as Largo do Chafariz, in the heart of the picturesque town of Terena. Located in the municipality of Alandroal, in the vast district of Évora, this monument is fully integrated into the serene and characteristic atmosphere of the Alentejo village.
Its prominence in the town center reflects the importance it once held in the community's life, serving as a landmark and a symbol of the established authority in Terena.
This Pillory is a fundamental landmark in the history of Terena, symbolizing the autonomy and jurisdictional power the town once held. Its construction is intrinsically linked to the granting of a foral (charter) or royal privileges, documents that conferred specific rights and duties, marking its status as a municipal seat or of having its own jurisdiction.
It was at this site that acts of justice were publicly carried out, serving as a testament to the laws and order of the time. Its presence is an echo of a past when public squares were the stage for the civic and jurisdictional life of communities.
The Pillory of Terena features a robust structure, typical of monuments of this kind in the Alentejo region. It stands on a platform or base, from which a shaft, or column, rises, which may be cylindrical or polygonal in section, depending on the style and period of its construction.
At its top, a capital precedes the finial, which often displayed symbolic or heraldic elements. Although specific details may vary, its design reflects its original functionality combined with the use of local stone, giving it a solidity and an intrinsic beauty that have withstood the test of time.
Today, the Pillory of Terena remains an important vestige of the past, inviting contemplation of its history and its significance to the community. Its presence recalls the times when it was a center of decision-making and a visible symbol of established power, constituting an unbreakable link with the roots and identity of Terena.
It is an example of heritage that has survived through the centuries, telling a narrative of local life and the administrative and social evolution that shaped the Alentejo region, serving as an invitation to reflect on the history of the place.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelourinho_de_Terena
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.620890995193356,-7.4078213721643795
Coordinates DMS: 38°37'15.2"N 07°24'28.2"W
Weather Terena
On-duty Pharmacy Terena
