The square Largo do Pelourinho (Funchal)

Portugal / Madeira / Funchal
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The small square Largo do Pelourinho, now ‘sunk’ between the mouths of the rivers João Gomes and Santa Luzia, was once the centre of the town. It was also here, where Funchal’s first customhouse and first commercial trading stations used to be.

This square was formed at the beginning of the main road Rua Direita (straight street), a name, which was traditionally given to this kind of streets in medieval Portuguese towns, even if it was far from being ‘straight’. In 1486 the Duke Dom Manuel sent a pillory (‘pelourinho’) to the island, and the location, where it was to be installed, was this square to which it also gave its name.

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Coordinates:   32°38'51"N   16°54'18"W
This article was last modified 6 years ago