Pederneira Pillory

Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory

District: Leiria > Nazaré > Nazaré > Pederneira

Location

Situated in the locality of Pederneira, one of the oldest settlements that make up present-day Nazaré, this pillory stands on a historically significant spot, near the site where the old Town Hall once stood.

Pederneira, with its elevated position and views over the coast, offers a unique setting for this monument, inviting a perspective on the region's history from one of its most emblematic and ancient points.

Historical Legacy and Symbolism

The Pillory of Pederneira is a testament to the municipal autonomy and justice that the town of Pederneira, once the seat of the municipality, enjoyed for centuries. Its existence symbolically dates back to an original pillory, likely associated with the granting of a royal charter by King Manuel I in 1514, marking the administrative and judicial importance of this historic town.

Although the structure seen today was moved to its current location in 1886, it keeps alive the memory of a past of local governance and of a time when these monuments were visible symbols of seigniorial and royal power.

Features and Heritage Value

Built of stone, the pillory is generally composed of a base, a shaft (column), and a capital, sometimes topped by symbolic elements that varied according to the era and the importance of the municipality. Its structure, though sometimes of a robust simplicity, was laden with deep meaning, representing the authority and jurisdiction of the old municipality of Pederneira, where edicts were proclaimed and, in former times, punishments were carried out.

This monument is a fundamental element of the region's heritage, recognized as a Property of Public Interest since 1933. Its preservation reflects the importance of safeguarding the symbols of local history and the administrative evolution of the territory, constituting a point of interest that invites reflection on the old structures of power and the daily life of past communities.

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