Pillory of Soajo
Share Image
The pillory of Soajo, erected opposite to the old building of the Town Hall, is a curious monument whose construction date is still uncertain. Some authors think it may be in the 17th century.
The pillory is based on a 3 steps quadrangular platform. The column is cylindrical, rough and with a slightly narrower section at the base. There is no capital and the top of the column has a high relief figurehead, representing what appears to be a smiling face. At the top it has a triangular slab, whose meaning is unknown. Popular tradition has, however, an explanation: the legend has it that the slab on top of the pillory represents a loaf of bread stuck on the tip of a spear. This explanation is inspired by the privilege given by King Dinis to the inhabitants of Soajo who, by living on the border, had an obligation to defend the region: no knight could stay in Soajo longer than enough time to cool down a hot loaf of bread put on the end of a spear.
Soajo became a county in 1514 by foral charter of King Manuel. The county was abolished in the XIX century and included in Arcos de Valdevez.
-
The pillory of Soajo, erected opposite to the old building of the Town Hall, is a curious monument whose construction date is still uncertain. Some authors think it may be in the 17th century.
The pillory is based on a 3 steps quadrangular platform. The column is cylindrical, rough and with a slightly narrower section at the base. There is no capital and the top of the column has a high relief figurehead, representing what appears to be a smiling face. At the top it has a triangular slab, whose meaning is unknown. Popular tradition has, however, an explanation: the legend has it that the slab on top of the pillory represents a loaf of bread stuck on the tip of a spear. This explanation is inspired by the privilege given by King Dinis to the inhabitants of Soajo who, by living on the border, had an obligation to defend the region: no knight could stay in Soajo longer than enough time to cool down a hot loaf of bread put on the end of a spear.
Soajo became a county in 1514 by foral charter of King Manuel. The county was abolished in the XIX century and included in Arcos de Valdevez.
-
Norte
-
Arcos de Valdevez
-
Peneda-Gerês National Park
Identification and Access
-
Yes
-
Access to Soajo from:
- OPorto - A3 (Porto - Valença) or N101 from Braga to Arcos de Valdevez. There follow to EM530 direction Soajo;
- Spain - A3 (Valença - Porto) or by national roads, entering in Portugal by Valença, Monção, Melgaço or Ponte da Barca. At Arcos de Valdevez, take EM530 direction Soajo.
GPS: 41.873862, -8.264326
Base Characterization
-
National Monument
-
Cultural Historical
-
Urban.
-
Public
Tips
-
Vist also the Penedo treshing floor.
Gas station in Arcos de Valdevez.
