Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Viseu > Nelas > Canas de Senhorim
The Pillory of Canas de Senhorim stands in the locality of Canas de Senhorim, which is part of the municipality of Nelas. It is located at a central point of the village, in a triangular square known as Largo do Pelourinho, within Praça da República. Its position is prominent, in an urban environment that adapts to the slope of the surrounding streets, being surrounded by two and three-story buildings, lending it a striking presence in the local landscape.
This monument in Canas de Senhorim is more than just a simple stone column; it is a symbol of local autonomy and history. Although the structure observed today is a 20th-century reproduction, it evokes the original pillory, which would have been erected around 1514, upon the granting of the Manueline charter to the then village. At that time, the pillory represented municipal authority and justice, serving as the place where edicts were posted and justice was administered.
The history of this landmark has been marked by various vicissitudes. The primitive pillory was destroyed in 1897, allegedly for interfering with traffic. Later, a reconstructed version in 1935 met the same fate in 1984, due to an accident. The piece admired today was re-inaugurated in 1987, faithful to the design of the original monument, thus perpetuating the memory of the municipal importance that Canas de Senhorim held throughout the centuries.
Built entirely of granite ashlar, the Pillory of Canas de Senhorim stands out for its classic form and robustness. The monument's base is composed of four quadrangular and smooth steps, which rise in a stepped manner, integrating into the terrain with a slight unevenness. The shaft, or central column, has a square section, but its vertices are chamfered, giving it a softer, more crafted appearance.
At the top of the column, rests a capital in the shape of a concave and octagonal collar, characterized by its prominent upper and lower edges. The crown of the structure is a quadrangular pyramid, with smooth faces and a slight setback from the capital, completing the composition and highlighting the dignity of this ancient symbol of power and justice.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.503737,-7.902932
Coordinates DMS: 40°30'13.5"N 07°54'10.6"W
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