Pillory of Horta

Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory

District: Guarda > Vila Nova de Foz Côa > Senhora da Estrada

Picturesque Location

, Situated on the banks of the Côa River and surrounded by steep valleys, Vila Nova de Foz Côa is a charming region, notable for its terraced vineyards.

Remarkable Architectural Heritage

, Horta, one of the local parishes, houses architectural examples of great interest. Discover charming structures that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, representing the Douro Valley and the Rock Art of the Côa Valley.

Deep Historical Roots

, Witness archaeological vestiges from the Chalcolithic period, including the fortified hilltop settlement of Castanheiro do Vento. The Roman presence is evident in the ancient villae, revealing the fertility of the soil.

Horta d\'El Rei and its History

, Learn about the history of Horta, formerly called "Horta d\'El Rei", leased by D. Afonso III. Later, D. Dinis granted it a charter, elevating it to Vila (town), but administrative autonomy was withdrawn by D. João I. In 1512, D. Manuel I granted it a new charter.

Manueline Pillory

, A notable landmark from the Manueline period is the Pillory of Horta, located in the center of the town. Made of granite, it stands out for its platform of three circular steps and an imposing column with a quadrangular capital and abacus.

Culture in Granite

, Discover the Pillory sculpted in granite, an abundant raw material in the region. Its unique structure includes a chamfered shaft, elegant capital, and cylindrical trunk that supports an element of enlarged diameter.

Sources: https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:Pelourinho_de_Horta_do_Douro_-_Portugal_(51853989849).jpg

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