Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Viseu > Moimenta da Beira > Moimenta da Beira > Passô
The Passô Pillory is located in the small village of Passô, which is part of the municipality of Moimenta da Beira, in the district of Viseu. Its position is quite unique and scenic, rising atop a large granite boulder, which gives it a robust and rustic appearance.
It is situated in an urban area, on a slightly inclined street, standing out in isolation within the village environment. Visitors will find it surrounded by two-story houses and backyards, providing a setting that evokes the traditional local life of this Beira region.
This pillory, dating from the 15th century, is a remarkable testament to the history of Passô. Its construction is generally associated with the year 1465, a period when D. Afonso V granted these lands to Gonçalo Pinto, probably marking the time when the locality obtained its own jurisdiction. It was, therefore, a visible symbol of the power and autonomy of the then town or municipality, initially serving as a judicial landmark.
Its historical importance has been recognized by its classification as a Public Interest Property since 1933, ensuring its preservation as a cultural landmark. It represents the memory of a past where Passô had its own administration, a municipality that would only be extinguished in the 19th century.
The Passô Pillory stands out for its remarkable simplicity and the robustness of the granite masonry from which it is made, a characteristic material of the region. Its structure consists of a quadrangular base that rests directly on the natural rock, with no additional steps beyond the rock outcrop itself.
The shaft, or column, is a monolithic piece of square section, slightly chamfered at the corners and devoid of elaborate capital or base, which gives it a stripped-down aesthetic. At the top, the finial is a block with a quadrangular base, from which four small cylindrical pillars rise, enclosing a pyramid. One side of this finial displays the arms of Portugal, with the lateral escutcheons arranged in a way presumed to predate the reform of D. João II (pre-1495), a crucial detail that helps confirm its ancient origin.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.019704,-7.70946
Coordinates DMS: 41°01'10.9"N 07°42'34.1"W
Weather Moimenta da Beira
On-duty Pharmacy Moimenta da Beira
