It consists of a cylindrical column erected over a square platform, sculpted with zoomorphic symbols, anthropomorphic scenes and the shield of the city of Bragança.

Bragança's growth was progressive and cumulative, finally resulting in its reclassification as city on 20 February 1464, by Afonso V.[1] The pillory's politico-administrative and judicial importance was made obvious in 1507.

Owing to the nuisance resulting from the custom of exhibiting the dismembered body parts of sentenced peasants on the pillory, D. Manual ordered that these artifacts be moved to another area of the town.

[1] They were responsible for establishing many of the socio-judicial institutions, resulting in an expansion of the local authority, that includes judges, magistrates, procurators, secretaries, aldermen and other judicial appointments ordered by the Crown.

[1] The pillory is unique, owing to its base, resembling a proto-historic, Lusitanian bore carved in a rough, stocky appearance, that includes short legs.