Trancoso was granted its first charter by the king Dom Afonso Henriques (between 1173 and 1185), which was later confirmed by Dom Afonso II in 1217 and Dom João I in 1391. However, it was only in the 16th century that Trancoso was awarded the ultimate symbol of local power, the pillory, when the charter was renewed by Dom Manuel I in 1510.
The period when it was built justified the elegance of the lantern (the upper part), which displays a notable use of the typical decorative features of the Manueline style of architecture, namely the armillary sphere and the Cross of the Order of Christ in iron.
The pillory is situated in the heart of Trancoso’s historic centre, at the intersection of the axes that connect the four gates in the wall.
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