Category: Civil Architecture > Pillory
District: Viseu > Vila Nova de Paiva > Vila Cova à Coelheira > Centro
The Pillory of Vila Cova à Coelheira is located in the centre of the locality, within the municipality of Vila Nova de Paiva. It stands in a small square, a space that was once the heart of the settlement. Its presence is striking in the urban environment, surrounded by a cluster of granite-built houses, and is situated on slightly sloping ground, standing out as a central element in the village's landscape.
This 16th-century pillory is a testament to the autonomy and power that Vila Cova à Coelheira enjoyed. Built, according to an inscribed date, in 1504, it symbolizes the capacity for justice administration and municipal authority of the time. Its existence is linked to the charter granted by D. Manuel I in 1514, making it an emblem of the locality's former jurisdiction. Due to its historical and cultural importance, the pillory has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1933, recognizing its invaluable worth.
The pillory of Vila Cova à Coelheira is a notable example of the Manueline style, built entirely in granite ashlar. Its structure rises from a base composed of six steps. The shaft, or central column, is octagonal in shape, robust and imposing. The finial, or capital, is particularly elaborate and divides into several decorative levels. On the third level, four openings crowned by human faces can be distinguished, while the next level features a hexagonal shape with six small round arches. The ensemble is topped by a sphere, lending a distinctive silhouette to this monument. An inscription on the pillory, "o p Mgel o fez", suggests that a stonemason named Miguel was responsible for its creation.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.879676,-7.803816
Coordinates DMS: 40°52'46.8"N 07°48'13.7"W
Weather Vila Cova à Coelheira
On-duty Pharmacy Vila Cova à Coelheira
