It is located in Largo do Eiró, parish of Soajo, Vila de Arco de Valdevez, in the district of Viana do Castelo, North region and subregion of Alto Minho, seat of the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez
The Pelourinho de Soajo is located in Largo do Eiró, in the parish of Soajo, town and municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, district of Viana do Castelo, North region and sub-region of Alto Minho, seat of the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez.
History of the Pelourinho de Soajo
The date of its construction is uncertain, although the "New Charter" granted to the town by Manuel I of Portugal in 1514 may point to its construction.
According to António Martinho Baptista, it is supposed to date back to the 17th century, although there is no basis in documentation to support it and its late chronology is attributed to the absence of traces of iron fittings.
The Pelourinho de Soajo is classified as a National Monument by Decree of June 16, 1910.
In 1980, a team of oxen tied to a runaway car crashed into the pillory, breaking it into three parts, which was later restored.
According to António Martinho Baptista, it is supposed to date back to the 17th century, although there is no basis in documentation to support it and its late chronology is attributed to the absence of traces of iron fittings.
The Pelourinho de Soajo is classified as a National Monument by Decree of June 16, 1910.
In 1980, a team of oxen tied to a runaway car crashed into the pillory, breaking it into three parts, which was later restored.
Characteristics of the Pelourinho de Soajo
It has a simple support at the top, very close to the usual "trunk" of the 13th century.
On a three-step base, sits an oval column, without base or capital, with a sober appearance, the only decoration being a smiling human frown on the shaft near the top topped by a triangular slab.
On a three-step base, sits an oval column, without base or capital, with a sober appearance, the only decoration being a smiling human frown on the shaft near the top topped by a triangular slab.
Symbolism of the Pelourinho de Soajo
Local tradition attributes the triangle to the representation of bread cooling on the tip of a spear, but the frown can also refer to a tricorn hat.
The local population currently associates the triangle with the squeegee, which is an agricultural instrument used to level new corn on the threshing floors.
The place where the pillory stands is called Largo de Eiró, which in this region of the north and northeast means the largest square in the village or a large threshing floor.
The squeegee has a triangular wooden part at one end and in its function of leveling the grain on the threshing floor it can be compared to that of leveling the pillory, an ancient symbol of municipal jurisdiction, symbolizing the concept that justice is equal for all.
Another possible explanation is that during the reign of Dinis I of Portugal, the Monteiros complained about the abuses of the nobles, so the monarch gave orders for them not to stay in the town longer than "the time to cool a loaf of bread on the tip of a spear".
The local population currently associates the triangle with the squeegee, which is an agricultural instrument used to level new corn on the threshing floors.
The place where the pillory stands is called Largo de Eiró, which in this region of the north and northeast means the largest square in the village or a large threshing floor.
The squeegee has a triangular wooden part at one end and in its function of leveling the grain on the threshing floor it can be compared to that of leveling the pillory, an ancient symbol of municipal jurisdiction, symbolizing the concept that justice is equal for all.
Another possible explanation is that during the reign of Dinis I of Portugal, the Monteiros complained about the abuses of the nobles, so the monarch gave orders for them not to stay in the town longer than "the time to cool a loaf of bread on the tip of a spear".
