Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Viseu > Penedono > Penedono > Centro
The Pillory of Penedono is located in the town centre, in Praça 25 de Abril. Situated on a hillside and prominently displayed, this monument marks a central point in the town's urban development. Its position is strategic, on the edge of the public road, and represents the beginning of the path leading to other historic areas of the town.
This pillory dates back to the 16th century, serving as a testament to local autonomy and justice at the time. Its construction is directly linked to the granting of a new charter by D. Manuel I in 1512, a crucial moment for Penedono's administrative and civic development. Originally, it served as a judicial instrument, a symbol of municipal power and seignorial jurisdiction. Today, the pillory is recognised as an important historical-cultural landmark, keeping alive the memory of governance and daily life from past centuries.
Carved from granite ashlar, the Pillory of Penedono features a remarkable structure. It rises on an octagonal plinth composed of five rounded steps, adapting to the unevenness of the terrain. The monolithic shaft, of octagonal prismatic section, culminates in an elaborate finial. This is formed by an octagonal abacus from which eight small columns emerge, some with a square section and others cylindrical, all adorned with pinnacles, which, together, create the shape of a cage. A central column supports a semi-spherical dome, crowned by a cylindrical spire and an iron weathervane. The elegance of its design and its decorative details demonstrate the mastery of the architecture of the period.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.989541,-7.393834
Coordinates DMS: 40°59'22.3"N 07°23'37.8"W
Weather Penedono
On-duty Pharmacy Penedono
