Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Vila Real > Ribeira de Pena > Cerva
It stands in the place of the Praça (Square), in the Union of Parishes of Cerva and Limões, in Ribeira de Pena, next to the EN 312 road. The monument appears in front of the 18th-century manor known as Casa de Paço Vedro.
Surrounded by fields and rural dwellings, it integrates into a setting where traditional architecture meets the pillory amidst the Minho landscape.
Dated 1617, as indicated by the mark on its cubic base, this pillory symbolized the seigniorial jurisdiction of Cerva until the abolition of the municipality in 1853. Classified as an Immovable of Public Interest in 1933, it bears witness to local autonomy and 17th-century justice practices.
After being dismantled in 1951, it was reassembled and re-erected in 1952 by the Parish Council, remaining in the location that once housed the old Town Hall.
Built of granite stonework, it rests on a single quadrangular step. The cubic base displays, on one face, the inscription 1.6.1.7 ANOS, while the chamfered prismatic shaft evolves, without a capital, to a quadrangular pyramid-shaped finial.
The soft edges and the absence of ornamentation highlight the sobriety characteristic of rural pillories from the late Manueline and 18th-century periods.
The pillory stands out against the sky, and the granite contrasts with the green of the fields and the ochre tone of the nearby manor. The silent surroundings invite reflection on the importance of these landmarks in the history of local communities.
On clear days, the play of shadows enhances the simple lines of the piece, making it a point of interest for those who appreciate architectural vestiges in rural contexts.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.47231874379693,-7.8475388725137005
Coordinates DMS: 41°28'20.3"N 07°50'51.1"W
Weather Cerva
On-duty Pharmacy Cerva
