Atouguia da Baleia Pillory

Atouguia da Baleia Pillory 

The Atouguia da Baleia Pillory is a beautiful example of political-administrative and judicial architecture from the 16th century. At that time, Atouguia da Baleia was the county seat, having the economic, social and political primacy, which it would lose to Peniche in 1836, since then the county seat.

This means that Atouguia da Baleia Pillory functioned as a distinctive symbol of municipal administrative autonomy as well as a place associated with justice, being therefore located in a central space of the urban fabric of the locality at the time of its construction.

Unique example of local power, of Manueline style, the Pelourinho de Atouguia da Baleia was built by the Counts of Atouguia (the Ataídes), whose weapons were an integral part of it.

As a consequence of the assassination attempt of D. José I, in the 18th century, and which became known as the Távoras Process, the Marquis of Pombal ordered that the weapons of the Counts of Atouguia be stung, although the pillory remained intact.

Given its historical importance, but also its artistic virtues, the Pelourinho de Atouguia da Baleia was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1933, being one of the many attractions of Atouguia da Baleia that you will certainly not want to miss.

Nearby you can find the ruins of the old castle or the São Leonardo Church, which are also worth a careful visit.

Must See in Atouguia da Baleia

But Atouguia da Baleia still have other churches integrated in the Route of the Churches of the Council of Peniche, such as the Interpretative Center of Atouguia da Baleia, Touril or Cruzeiro, all of them testimony to the legacy that the village has been building over the centuries and are today symbols of its identity and its rich history.

You will certainly not want to miss out on all these unique heritage sites, each with its own particularities. The options are more than many and we guarantee that it is worth visiting all of them.