Upon this small elevated square, where the Beco do Chão Salgado narrows, stands a stark reminder of a dark chapter in Portuguese history: the Padrão-Memória do Chão Salgado. Here before us, this monument marks a tragic destiny. It speaks of accusations, torture, and the irreversible consequences of an alleged crime against the crown.
This isn’t just stone. It’s a memorial erected in 1759 to mark the spot where the houses of José Mascarenhas once stood. Mascarenhas was the 8th Duke of Aveiro. He was accused of an attempt on King José’s life. The Padrão-Memória do Chão Salgado stands as a grim testament to the events that followed.
Following the accusation, the Duke’s properties were razed. The land was salted so that nothing would ever grow here again. A ban was placed on any future construction. This act aimed to erase the Duke of Aveiro’s existence from the city’s landscape.
Look closely at the base. You can see the inscription that tells the tale. It describes José Mascarenhas’s fall from grace. He was stripped of his titles and condemned by the Supreme Junta of Inconfidência on January 12, 1759. The inscription details his execution as one of the leaders of the “barbarous and execrable outrage” against King José on the night of September 3, 1758. It declares this land infamous. It also forbids any building upon it.
The Padrão-Memória do Chão Salgado consists of a base. The south face bears the inscription that we just discussed. A cylindrical column rises above it. It features five cushioned rings. A coxim tops the column. It is surmounted by an indefinite fragment. The structure is made of limestone masonry.
The construction of the Padrão-Memória do Chão Salgado was ordered by the Junta da Inconfidência. This followed the September 3rd attack against King José I. The Duke of Aveiro and the Count of Atouguia were also targeted. This event became known as the Processo dos Távoras. On the morning of January 13, 1759, the Marquis of Távora, the Duke of Aveiro, and the Count of Atouguia were executed.
Consider the weight of this place. The Padrão-Memória do Chão Salgado stands isolated in a narrow street. It’s surrounded by buildings. It’s a somber reminder of a past filled with intrigue, power struggles, and ruthless justice. It serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of crossing the monarchy in 18th-century Portugal.