Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Viseu > Tabuaço > Valença do Douro
The Pillory of Valença do Douro is located in the tranquil village of Valença do Douro, within the municipality of Tabuaço. It stands in a small square, in an area with some inclination, characteristic of the Douro landscape. Its presence is a harmonious landmark in the village, standing out in its urban and scenic surroundings.
Valença do Douro is situated in a region of great natural beauty, part of the vast Alto Douro Wine Region, a classified landscape that attracts visitors with its uniqueness and the way man has shaped the land for viticulture.
This pillory, classified as a Property of Public Interest, dates back to the 16th or 17th centuries, featuring 17th-century style elements. The monument is a testament to the judicial autonomy that the locality of Valença do Douro once enjoyed. In medieval times, before receiving its current name and being repopulated, the area was already known as Perencia or Perença.
The granting of a royal charter (foral) by King Manuel in 1514 elevated Valença do Douro to the category of a municipality (concelho), bestowing upon it important privileges. The pillory thus served as a visible symbol of local power and justice, being the place where laws were proclaimed and, historically, punishments were applied. Although the municipality was abolished in the mid-19th century, the pillory remains a link to this past of self-governance.
The Pillory of Valença do Douro is built of granite ashlar, a robust and traditional material in the region. Its base consists of a circular plinth with three steps, which rests directly on the ground of the square. Upon this pedestal rises a monolithic shaft.
The shaft begins with a square section, transitioning to an octagonal shape through chamfered edges along most of its height, returning to a quadrangular profile at the top. The capital is a simple quadrangular block, crowned by a projecting abacus. Finally, the finial is a truncated pyramid-shaped piece, with a somewhat irregular silhouette, which gives the ensemble a particular distinction.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.159312,-7.558562
Coordinates DMS: 41°09'33.5"N 07°33'30.8"W
Weather Valença do Douro
On-duty Pharmacy Valença do Douro
