Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Guarda > Fornos de Algodres > Casal do Monte
The Pillory of Casal do Monte is strategically located in the heart of the picturesque village of Casal do Monte, which belongs to the municipality of Fornos de Algodres, in the district of Guarda. Rising in a central space of the village, this structure is a visible landmark, easily integrated into the traditional village landscape.
Its position allows visitors to observe the tranquility of the surroundings, characteristic of small inland Portuguese villages. The presence of the pillory contributes to the historical and authentic atmosphere of the place, inviting contemplation of its value and the rural environment that surrounds it.
This pillory represents a valuable testimony to the history of Casal do Monte and its past relevance. Monuments of this typology were once crucial symbols of municipal autonomy and local jurisdiction, marking the places where justice was publicly exercised.
They served as forums for the proclamation of edicts and, unfortunately, also as stages for the application of penalties and punishments. The Pillory of Casal do Monte, like so many others scattered throughout the country, is a silent vestige of an era when power and order were manifested so visibly in the public squares of communities.
As an architectural element of civil character, the Pillory of Casal do Monte takes the form of a stone column, characteristic of this type of monument. Generally, these structures are composed of a robust base, which rises from the ground, supporting a shaft, the vertical and main part of the column. At the top of the shaft, there is a capital, which connects the column to the upper finial. The ensemble presents a simple grandeur, typical of period architecture, whose lines and proportions reveal the mastery and functionality intended for these symbols of power and justice.
Beyond its historical function linked to justice, the Pillory of Casal do Monte today remains a symbol of the locality's identity and collective memory. It is a landmark that signifies the antiquity of the settlement and its evolution over the centuries.
The monument invites visitors to reflect on the community's past experiences, on the social and legal rituals that unfolded there, and on the very permanence of history in the village's daily life. Its presence is a link between the past and present of Casal do Monte.
Sources: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccdrc/5922194876
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.74101678729855,-7.444669698643387
Coordinates DMS: 40°44'27.7"N 07°26'40.8"W
Weather Casal do Monte
On-duty Pharmacy Casal do Monte
