Pillory of Rates, Medieval stone pillar in central square of Rates, Portugal
The Pillory of Rates is a stone column with a cylindrical shaft resting on a stepped platform in the town square. The structure displays simple lines and solid proportions typical of medieval judicial monuments.
The monument originated in the 16th century when Rates operated as an independent township with its own local government. The incorporation into Póvoa de Varzim in 1836 ended this period of self-governance.
This stone served as the center of public life where townspeople gathered to hear announcements and learn about local laws. It also functioned as a practical tool, with marks on its surface used to measure cloth and goods sold at the market.
This stone column is accessible year-round and stands at the center of town near the Romanesque church. You can explore it on foot easily as it sits at the heart of the historical district.
The stone surface displays grooves and marks that reveal how merchants used it for measuring over centuries. These worn lines tell a story of daily commerce that went hand in hand with the symbol of authority.
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