Granitic marker 55

Category: Civil Architecture > Marker

District: Vila Real > Santa Marta de Penaguião > Silhão > Ribeirões

Location

The granite landmark 55 is serenely situated in the locality of Silhão, in the Ribeirões area, belonging to the municipality of Santa Marta de Penaguião, in the district of Vila Real. This location is set within a predominantly rural and tranquil context, characterized by the Trás-os-Montes landscape, often dotted with small streams and dense vegetation.

The surroundings offer a glimpse into the region's traditional life, with the presence of terraces and fields that reflect centuries-old agricultural activity, albeit more discreetly than in the large wine-growing areas of the Douro. Its position allows visitors to appreciate the quietude and authenticity of the local environment, far from large urban concentrations.

Meaning and Purpose

This landmark, carved in granite and identifiable by the numeral "55", is a testament to the functional civil architecture of yesteryear. Its existence points to a practical and fundamental role in the organization of the territory, integrating into a series of similar elements.

Such landmarks were often used to delimit properties, parishes, or municipalities, or to mark distances along old communication routes. The numeral "55" suggests that this point was part of a demarcation system or an established route, giving it a historical role in understanding the landscape and its division over time.

The Granite Work

The material itself, granite, endows Landmark 55 with remarkable durability and robustness, characteristics that have allowed its preservation to this day. Its design is one of functional simplicity, without extensive ornamentation, focusing exclusively on its primary utility.

The stone, originating from local geology, is a reflection of the surrounding landscape, naturally integrating into the environment. Its discreet but solid presence is a silent link to the past, representing human ingenuity in marking and organizing the rural Trás-os-Montes space.

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