Pillory of Touça

Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory

District: Guarda > Vila Nova de Foz Côa > Touça

Location

Situated in the heart of the peaceful village of Touça, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, this pillory stands as a discreet yet deeply rooted landmark in the village's history. It is typically found in a central square or plaza, places that once served as the stage for community life and the most important daily events. From here, visitors can appreciate the calm surroundings and the rural landscape characteristic of the Guarda region, marked by its valleys and terraces.

Its position within the urban cluster allows for easy integration into the village's discovery route, offering a glimpse into the social and administrative organization of bygone eras, in an atmosphere of genuine Beira tranquility.

Symbol of Historical Autonomy

The Pillory of Touça is a testament silent to an era when power and justice were exercised locally. Its presence marked the granting of a royal charter to the settlement, signifying municipal autonomy and the ability to exercise its own jurisdiction. It was in this place that official edicts were proclaimed, justice was administered, and offenders were publicly exposed, giving it a central and, at times, severe role in the community's civic life.

This stone landmark embodies Touça's administrative evolution, serving as a link between the present and a past where local decisions were visibly manifested in this public space, solidifying the locality's sense of identity and self-governance.

Architectural Details and Materiality

Constructed predominantly from granite, a material abundant in the region, the Pillory of Touça presents a robust and functional structure, reflecting the simplicity and pragmatism of its purpose. Generally, it rests on a stepped base, which gives it elevation and visibility, followed by a shaft (column) of variable design, which can range from the purest simplicity to more elaborate decorative elements, although many of the older pillories are of a more rudimentary nature.

Its finial, the crowning element of the column, although specific to each pillory (it can be a sphere, a pyramid, a cross, or a symbolic cage), completes its silhouette, making it a recognizable element in the village's built landscape. It is in its sobriety and the timelessness of the stone that much of its patrimonial and aesthetic value resides.

Sources: https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:Pelourinho_de_Touça_-_Portugal_(53387207785).jpg

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