Verraco pillory and the Tower of Flame Owner (Mira) (*)-A culture of Berrões
May 21, 2011 by Castile
Categories: Municipalities , District-Bragança , the Metal Ages , More , Mira and Vila Flor , All articles
We have been writing about the remarkable sites of Tras-os-Montes, because I believe that we must spread throughout our remarkable heritage and the choice is almost indifferent to us, so we can write the Monastery of Batalha (*****) as about Pillory of the Tower Owner Draws, although I know that this will have less traffic, but with more delay because we stop our choice is associated with ethical strength of this remarkable Portugal and uncompromising defense of cultural tourism.
What are Berrões?
Previously I wrote about two local notables who had Berrões (verracos) and both the district of Guarda:
St. Andrew of Arribas (*) (Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo)
Historical Village of Castelo Mendo (**) (Almeida).
With the popular name of Berrões or Verracos are stone sculptures (mostly granite) from the Iron Age or even since the Roman era they represent, pigs, boars, bulls and bears.
Of the approximately 400 known sculptures, the figures are the most common male pigs. The word berrão was inspired by the term used to designate the boars. The dimensions of berrões can reach two meters, however there are several others who have only come to 30 cm. The area of the culture of Berrões is located in the northeast of Portugal and extends to the provinces of Cáceres, Zamora, Avila and Salamanca in Spain.
Pillory of the Tower of Flame Owner
These sculptures have been found in villages that existed in the Iron Age and that still remain (eg Flame Tower Owner) or in old forts or even from other relevant sites (eg pastures). Thought to be tick marks for the key economic resources and that would also have a symbolic value as protective presence of cattle and locations. Were also used as funerary monuments in Roman times.
Berrões was almost certain to be used for purposes of a religious nature. The sculptures represent animals sacred to whom they worshiped, as the inscriptions suggests that some of these sculptures exhibit.
We have for example the translation of the inscription was made in Iberian language, the Las berrão Cojotas that supports this theory: "God Pig-mad city Adorja protector" or temple dedicated to the Berrão Picote in Miranda do Douro, which unfortunately was destroyed.
Supporting this theory further still boast some "fossetes" ie rounded dimples probably used for any one ritual.
Are known in the literature Verraco Bridge Salamanca (**), which starts picaresque novel of Lazarus of Tormes or Guisando Bulls, who still little visited, from which Isabel the Catholic was proclaimed heir of Castile, and be mentioned in Don Quixote, to whom I know my favorite book. Alias and route that did not make "belly" but with idealism.
The statues have led disappearance, has been affected by erosion, their noses were broken by religious fundamentalism, are always bumps last 20 centuries.
In Portugal would be associated with the pre-Roman peoples of Zoelas and vetoes. In Memory Stones blog can read a great article on the Berrões in Tras-os-Montes .
In the city of Bragança and the Tower Owner Call the berrões pillories are related, but in relation to time of construction, one has nothing to do with each other: the pillories are medieval and later, and the quadrupeds are the Iron Age.
Next to the pillory of Owner Points, built in granite is a sculpture representing a pig, that the people give the name of Berroa and Ursa. It has long 1.60 m in height and a width of 0.92 0.36.
The statue probably have been the lot of S. Bras where there was once a fortress. Read here about the Legend of Miss Flame .
The pillory Tower D. Flame was erected in the sixteenth century and is based on a square punch of three steps that compensate the unevenness of the ground. The base is square and topped with a beveled square prismatic part. The column, octagonal shaft flat and irregular sides, is slightly narrower at the top than at the bottom. The capital in equal-armed cross, shows extreme in their depictions of animal heads. The shot shows a cobblestone side the arms of Portugal, and is topped by a square pyramidal number ".1
Interesting are the animal heads protruding at the top that are unique within the Portuguese pillories. Almost all the pillory Tower D. Call consists of parts of the sixteenth century but those heads of animals (dogs, pigs?) Seem to be more provectas. Have been constructed based on berrão from the hill town of San Blas or may even be pieces from this? It is certainly quite interesting.
Pillories and Berrões
The pillories are located in the plaza or central square of the villages and more than they intended execution of a punishment, maintaining sentenced to the time variable, were and still are considered as symbols:
-The municipal power in the Middle Ages;
Collectively, they represent the personal guard of the interests and privileges of the population.
Also berrões, occupied in the Age of Metals a symbolic attribute and occupied a central place, and even today berrões found are placed in a prominent position at the Central Square amiudamente sometimes on a pedestal like the totemic symbol of its people, serves Sample this berrão Tower Owner Draws or "bear" of Bragança and the Murça.
Possessed all the attributes of totem and taboo these places and their people, they do not like that some unsuspecting tourist to ride the back of the animal to make pictures for the photo album. It is a warning to the reader friend who wants to come here.
Bibliographic Note: IGESPAR (1)
