Pelourinho de Valhelhas, Portugal
Posted by: 
manchanegra
N 40° 24.410 W 007° 24.123
29T E 635590 N 4474139
The pillory of Valhelhas with the simplicity of the aged old stones, attests, in the present, the privileges of the popular nobility of Valhelhas.
Waymark Code: WMC0RH
Location: Guarda, Portugal
Date Posted: 07/11/2011
Views: 12
The pillory of Valhelhas with the simplicity of the aged old stones, attests, in the present, the privileges of the popular nobility of Valhelhas. Stands impressively in the Praça José de Castro, before the Parish building, former town hall and old jail.
It consists of seven steps that serves as the octagonal base and will gradually diminishing to the platform. The pillar collumn is an entire piece of fine-grained granite, octagonal, with about 40 cm diameter and 3 m high, surmounted by octagonal collar that also features on one side the date 1555. On the remaining sides can be observed a Roman numbering almost cleared (only LII and II are visible). This collar is supported by a second helm, circular with three rings. The top one, most prominent, constitutes a board, the top had originally four pinnacles decorated with small half spheres, (today two pinnacles are missing) and in the middle a large pinnacle based on a semi-circular ring.
In this type of pillory the delinquents were tied or chained to the pole and wipped or mutilated (depending on seriousness of the offense and the customs of the time) and left as an exemple for others to see.
Please note that the importance of Counties was reflected by the amount of steps of pillories. Lisbon pillory has eight so the seven of Valhelhas proves the great importance of this ancient county.
The pillory Valhelhas a Protected monument since 1933.
Text from Velhelhas.net
Type of Device: Pillory
What is the approximate age?: 01/01/1555
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Associated Website: [Web Link]
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