Monument

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Póvoa de Varzim > Póvoa de Varzim

Location

The Monument is situated in the Nova Sintra area, in Póvoa de Varzim. It stands in a central and vibrant space of the city, offering a vantage point for urban daily life and the historical surroundings. Its position allows visitors to experience the characteristic atmosphere of the locality.

Memory and History

This monument, known as the Póvoa Pillory, is an important testimony to the history of Póvoa de Varzim. Its origin dates back to 1514, the year King D. Manuel I granted a new charter to the town. The construction of a pillory symbolized, at the time, the municipal autonomy and judicial power of the locality, thus marking a turning point in its governance.

The structure observed today is a replica, built in the 19th century, after the demolition of the original in 1854, due to traffic constraints. However, it preserves an element of the 16th-century piece: the armillary sphere, emblem of King D. Manuel I, which is located at the top of the shaft and is the only remaining fragment of the primitive pillory.

Architectural Details

Built of granite ashlar, the monument features a robust base with four quadrangular steps. Its shaft is an interesting combination of cylindrical sections, smooth at the bottom, and others marked by fluting at the top. The ensemble is crowned by a chalice-shaped capital, upon which rests the aforementioned armillary sphere, lending it an aesthetic that evokes the Manueline style.

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