Filipino Standard - Pelourinho

Category: Civil Architecture > Obelisk

District: Santarém > Tomar > Tomar > São João Baptista e Santa Maria dos Olivais

Location

The Filipino Standard, Pillory is located in the heart of the historic city of Tomar, within the parish of São João Baptista and Santa Maria dos Olivais. This monument marks a central point in the urban landscape, bearing witness to centuries of local life. Its presence in a public space underscores its historical importance and integration into the daily lives of Tomar's residents, offering visitors a glimpse into the urban structure and civic organization of the era in which it was erected.

Its position allows visitors to absorb the historical environment surrounding it, feeling the reverberation of the past in the city's architecture and atmosphere, without needing to travel to other locations to understand its local relevance.

A Symbol of Authority and History

This monument, known as the Filipino Standard, Pillory, is a landmark with profound historical significance for Tomar. The term "Filipino Standard" refers to the period of the Philippine Dynasty (1580-1640), when Portugal was under the rule of the Spanish kings Philip I, II, and III of Portugal. During this era, many pillories were rebuilt or remodeled, reflecting the artistic trends and policies of the time.

In turn, the "Pillory", in its essence, was a symbol of municipal autonomy and justice. Erected in public places, it served as a post where official notices and decrees were affixed, and where public punishments were carried out, asserting the council's jurisdiction and the power of its mayors. Its presence in the city was a visible sign of its independence and its right to self-govern.

Architectural Features

The Filipino Standard, Pillory presents itself as an imposing vertical structure, characteristic of the obelisk typology. Its structure, usually made of stone, consists of a robust base that rises into a shaft of quadrangular section, gradually tapering towards the top. Although the specifics of each pillory vary, this obelisk shape lends it dignity and a striking presence in the urban space.

Its architectural design reflects the aesthetic canons of the period in which it was built or adapted, combining the symbolic functionality of the pillory with the formal elegance of a standard or commemorative column. It is a piece that stands out for its sobriety and the clarity of its lines, enduring through time as a testament to the art and engineering of its era.

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