Pelourinho Gallery

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Art Gallery

District: Leiria > Óbidos > Óbidos > Santa Maria

Location

Located in the heart of Óbidos village, the Pelourinho Gallery stands in a prominent position. It is situated on the bustling Rua Direita (Straight Street), the main artery that runs through the walled village.

It is located precisely in front of Santa Maria Square, the historical and central hub of Óbidos, dominated by the historic Village Pillory. Its location facilitates access and integration into the discovery of the oldest core of the locality.

Layers of History

The site where the Pelourinho Gallery is located holds traces of a long and complex history, revealed through archaeological works. Different phases of occupation and transformation of the space have been identified over the centuries.

The presence of a granary with silos excavated into the ground, possibly linked to the collection of goods by the Church, dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. In the 14th and 15th centuries, two distinct dwellings existed on the site: a larger house, with stone Gothic portals and signs of wealth, and a more modest house, with a brick Gothic portal. The area also served for storing cereals or wine.

Fragments of Daily Life

Archaeological excavations have unearthed a vast collection of objects that offer an intimate perspective on daily life from other times. Among the finds, numerous ceramic fragments stand out, both common-use items and more elaborate pieces, including faience and porcelain.

The diversity of ceramics found, originating from Portugal, Spain, and even China, illustrates the commercial contacts and consumption habits of the populations who lived there. Additionally, glass, coins, faunal remains, building materials, and even a funerary stele and architectural elements were discovered, enriching the understanding of local history.

Transformations and Traces

Over the centuries, the space underwent various alterations and periods of decline. In the second half of the 16th century, part of the existing buildings was partially destroyed, an event that may be related to the state of preservation of the structures and, possibly, to the action of earthquakes that affected the region at the time.

After this phase of destruction, the spaces were reconfigured, with the creation of a courtyard where domestic waste and rubble were deposited, and the construction of shelters for animals. These modifications reflect the evolution of land use and built structures over time at this central point of the village.

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