Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Vila Real > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Centro
The Pillory of Vila Pouca de Aguiar is located in the heart of the town, positioned in its central area. Its presence marks one of the main public spaces, integrating into the daily life of the town. It is an element that stands out in the urban landscape, inviting observation of the surrounding environment and immersion in the center of local life.
This stone monument is a testament to the history and the municipal autonomy of Vila Pouca de Aguiar. In former times, pillories were visible symbols of local judicial and administrative power. They served as places for the proclamation of laws, the administration of justice, and the affirmation of the council's authority over its territory and population. Its existence takes us back to a past when the town fully exercised its prerogatives, offering a tangible link to medieval and modern times.
The Pillory of Vila Pouca de Aguiar presents the typical characteristics of these structures in Portugal. It is a granite column, usually robust, that rises from a base. At the top, it is common to find decorative or symbolic elements, such as a capital, an armillary sphere, or a cross, which can indicate its construction period and the dominant aesthetic of the time. Its form and details invite appreciation of the construction technique of the era and allow for a visual journey through the architectural styles of past epochs.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.49617788,-7.64333066
Coordinates DMS: 41°29'46.2"N 07°38'36.0"W