Pelourinho de Vila Real

The Pelourinho de Vila Real is a historical monument that symbolizes the judicial and administrative autonomy of the city.

It was founded in 1515 , the year in which Vila Real received a new town charter ( foral ) from King D. Manuel I. Although the original pelourinho has been largely lost, the current structure is a reconstruction that preserves the original octagonal column .

The pelourinho is made entirely of granite and stands on a base of four octagonal steps . On top of the column is a four-sided "gaiola" (cage) with round arches on each side. On the corners of this cage are small cylindrical columns, and the whole is crowned with a wrought iron cross with a pennant.

willem vandenameele