Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Viseu > Tabuaço > Arcos
The Arcos Pillory is located in the heart of the town of Arcos, within the municipality of Tabuaço. It stands in a flat, open square, a meeting point for several urban thoroughfares, giving it a natural prominence. It is framed by two-story buildings, which display the region's traditional architecture, creating a characteristic and picturesque setting.
This pillory is an important historical landmark, classified as a Property of Public Interest. Its construction probably dates back to the 16th century, a time when these monuments were crucial for local life. Originally, the Arcos pillory symbolized the administrative authority and judicial power of the former municipality, a testament to the autonomy the town once possessed. Today, it preserves the memory of those times, serving as a cultural reference point.
Built of granite ashlar, the Arcos Pillory features a distinct composition. It stands on a quadrangular base of three steps, a structure believed to have been added in the mid-20th century, with the lowest step almost invisible within the cobblestones. The column, or shaft, begins with a square base that transforms into an octagonal shape along its ascent, then widens and takes on a square form at the capital.
The capital is adorned with two rounded mouldings that define a concave surface. At the top, a quadrangular piece with rounded vertices precedes the final finial: a quadrangular pyramid with gently rounded angles, culminating in a small flattened sphere. This ensemble gives it a style that evokes 16th-century aesthetics, with its particular "pyramidal spindle" shape, characteristic of this type of pillory.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.048325,-7.570942
Coordinates DMS: 41°02'54.0"N 07°34'15.4"W
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