Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Viseu > Santa Comba Dão > Pinheiro de Ázere > Pinheirinho
The Pillory of Pinheiro de Ázere is located in the heart of the town, more precisely in Largo do Cimo da Vila. It is situated in an urban area, in a space that serves as a confluence for various roads, which underscores its historical importance as a central point of the community. Its position, close to a residential building, makes it a discreet but integral presence in the landscape of the village of Pinheiro de Ázere, in the municipality of Santa Comba Dão.
This pillory represents a significant landmark in the history of Pinheiro de Ázere, testifying to the period when the locality acquired its administrative and judicial autonomy. Although its exact construction date is conjectural, placing it between the 16th and 17th centuries, its presence is intrinsically linked to the granting of the Manueline charter, a document that established the rights and duties of the inhabitants and conferred legal power upon the then-municipality.
The structure served as a tangible symbol of local justice and authority, being the place where penalties were executed and edicts proclaimed, reflecting royal and municipal power. Throughout the centuries, the pillory witnessed the transformations of the settlement, being restored in 1983 to ensure its preservation.
Built of solid granite ashlar, the Pillory of Pinheiro de Ázere presents a singular form, characteristic of pine-cone shaped pillories. Its base is a circular plinth of three stepped degrees, which are partially adapted to the surroundings. The shaft, a smooth cylindrical column, rises without an apparent base, having at mid-height two opposing orifices, formerly intended for fastening restraint irons, which recall its original function.
At the top of the shaft, two ascending circular rings lead to a cylindrical capital, also smooth, which is crowned by a prominent rim. The monument culminates in a conical pine-cone finial, short and devoid of ornaments, giving it a robust and austere silhouette, typical of its construction period.
Classified as a Property of Public Interest, the Pillory of Pinheiro de Ázere is today an important historical-cultural landmark. Maintained by the local municipality, it is an element of profound relevance to the region's identity, inviting those who observe it to reflect on the forms of social and judicial organization of the past. Its enduring presence is an invitation to discover local history and to appreciate the Portuguese built heritage.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.362049,-8.114066
Coordinates DMS: 40°21'43.4"N 08°06'50.6"W
Weather Pinheiro de Ázere
On-duty Pharmacy Pinheiro de Ázere
