Pillory of Fráguas

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Viseu > Vila Nova de Paiva > Fráguas > Vila Nova de Paiva, Alhais e Fráguas

Location

The Pillory of Fráguas is located in the heart of the village of Fráguas, which is part of the municipality of Vila Nova de Paiva. It rises majestically in a central square, the Praça do Pelourinho (Pillory Square), a space that historically took its name from this monument. Its position in the center of the village invites a pause to observe this symbol of a distant past, surrounded by a calm and picturesque environment.

Historical Features

This monument dates back to the beginning of the 16th century. Its construction is often associated with the granting of a new charter (foral) to Fráguas, attributed by King Manuel I in 1514. Pillories, like this one, were granite pillars erected in localities with municipal autonomy, symbolizing the justice and authority granted to them at the time, marking their importance in the administrative and social organization.

Architectural Details

The Pillory of Fráguas rests on a base composed of three quadrangular steps, with the lowest one sometimes less visible as it is partially integrated into the pavement. Its central, monolithic column rises with a shaft of octagonal section and smooth faces. The finial is one of its most distinctive elements, taking the form of a small "castle". It is composed of a cubic block with four protrusions resembling merlons at the corners, and in the center, a slightly flattened sphere rests on a cylindrical piece.

The Carved Faces and Legends

One of the most notable aspects of the pillory are the eight human faces, somewhat crude in appearance, carved into the finial. Popular tradition associated these figures with the family of D. Aleixo de Figueiredo, who, according to legend, would have been punished for having given refuge to D. António, Prior of Crato, during the struggles for the independence of the kingdom. However, the dating of the pillory, from the early 16th century, predates the events related to the Prior of Crato, making this interpretation a curious local legend rather than a verifiable historical fact.

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