Aldeias Históricas de Portugal

Villages

Pillory

Castelo Novo

Castelo Novo

It dates back to the 16th century and marks the promotion to municipality. It is in Manueline style on octagonal steps. Its bevelled, spiralled column is decorated with plant motifs alluding to Portugal’s maritime expansion and crowned by a pine cone bearing the royal coat of arms and the king’s personal insignias. It is has the original iron supports. This was where sentences were read, punishments meted out and criminals displayed in public.