Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina - El fin del “destroyer” marqués de Pombal (y 4)

Host: Nieves Concostrina
Co-host: Carlos
Date: January 15, 2026
Podcast: SER Podcast

Overview

This final episode in a series on the Marqués de Pombal explores the fall of one of Portugal’s most controversial and transformative figures. Through Nieves Concostrina’s distinctively sharp, witty lens, the show delves into the legacy, ruthless actions, and eventual downfall of Pombal, highlighting how his reforms changed Portugal forever but came at a steep human cost. The episode especially focuses on the infamous “motín de los taberneros” (tavern-keepers’ revolt) of 1757, the creation of the Oporto wine Denomination of Origin, and how power, progress, and despotism intertwined in 18th-century Portugal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Pombal's Mixed Legacy (00:28–03:21)

• Carlos recaps the series, calling Pombal “una de las figuras más relevantes de la historia de Portugal… déspota ilustrado, perseguidor de sus rivales… hasta la extenuación total”
  • Pombal’s rule was marked by both “olfato político” and relentless repression.
• Nieves contextualizes the period:
  • The 1755 Lisbon earthquake is described as a catalyst for radical change, “el principio de un cambio radical en la historia del país” (01:24).
  • Pombal’s actions led, over decades, to the fall of the monarchy, the advent of the Republic, secularism, and expulsion of religious orders.
• Main thesis:
  • Pombal was “un auténtico destroyer para unos, pero el salvador de Portugal para otros” (02:14).

2. Pombal's Reforms—Progress at a Cost (03:21–04:56)

• Nieves lists his progressive policies:
  • Expulsion of the Jesuits.
  • Restriction of donations to religious institutions to curb tax evasion.
  • Educational reform: “desarrolló la enseñanza desde la infantil hasta la universitaria… se la restringió a los curas” (03:47).
  • Creation of textile, sugar, and wine industries; organized trade with Brazil; reorganized military forces.
• Notable quote:
  • “Hizo muchas cosas bien, pero todas las hizo por la fuerza y aplicando tremenda represión contra todo el que se opusiera a sus planes” (04:15).
  • Pombal invented something akin to modern “Denominación de Origen” (designation of origin), but “¿A qué precio?… todo necio confunde valor y precio, sino por las vidas que costó” (04:38).

3. El Motín de los Taberneros (04:56–10:05)

Origins of Oporto’s Wine Boom

• Historical backdrop:
  • 1678: British blockade of French wine led to skyrocketing demand for Oporto.
  • “Acabó vendiéndose como vino de Oporto hasta el que no era de Oporto. Inglaterra acabó mosqueándose” (05:38).
• Pombal’s response:
  • Establishment of the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro—effectively creating a controlled Denomination of Origin for Oporto wine.

Social Fallout

• Controversy:
  • The boundaries Pombal established benefitted mainly large landowners (including himself), excluding small-scale local producers.
  • Producers left out of the D.O. designation revolted: “Los taberneros de Oporto… montan la revolución” (07:30).

The 1757 Uprising

• Episode details:
  • Tavern-keepers abducted the ailing judge, stormed the regidor’s house, demanded the abolition of the wine company, causing city-wide unrest.
  • “Ese fue el conocido como motín de los taberneros” (08:26).

Brutal Repression

• Pombal’s reaction:
  • Army deployed, 400+ arrested, charged with “lesa majestad” (high treason).
  • At least 26 executed in grisly fashion; bodies displayed as warnings.
  • “Te mataban varias veces… te decapitaban, te ahorcaban, te quemaban… y a los taberneros de Oporto los repartieron luego hechos cachitos por las calles…” (09:23).

4. Pombal's Methods and the Jesuits (10:05–11:15)

• Scapegoating:
  • Jesuits falsely accused of inciting the revolt and of regicide attempts.
  • “El marqués de Pombal era como el juez Peinado… lo importante era sembrar el mal rollo… para entonces ya da igual, el mal está hecho y el objetivo está cumplido” (10:14).
  • Nieves admits: “Los jesuitas… ni animaron el motín de los taberneros ni participaron en el atentado contra el rey” (10:34).

5. The Fall of Pombal (11:15–14:08)

• Change in monarchy:
  • Death of King José I (“el cenutrio e inútil del rey José I”), ascent of Maria I triggers re-examination of Pombal’s abuses.
• Retribution:
  • The case against the Távora family is reopened—Nobles exonerated posthumously.
  • Pombal put on trial; tries to blame the late king.
  • Condemned to death, but sentence commuted due to intervention by vested interests and his leprosy.
  • “El Marqués de Pombal se libró de la pena capital y sólo fue desterrado” (12:38).
  • “Los malos siempre ganan. Y murió a los 83…” (13:00).

6. Legacy and Reflections on Modern Lisbon (13:00–14:08)

• Irony of commemoration:
  • Huge monument in central Lisbon celebrates Pombal; ironic, as he built the Avenida de la Libertad only for elites:
    “Como si la Libertad condujera al Marqués de Pombal. Y es que esa gran avenida… la construyó el Marqués tras el terremoto para que disfrutaran del paseo sólo las gentes de la alta sociedad… Pero como la plebe muy idiota, le pusieron Avenida de la Libertad” (13:34).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Un auténtico destroyer para unos, pero el salvador de Portugal para otros.” — Nieves Concostrina (02:14)
• “Todo necio confunde valor y precio.” — Nieves Concostrina (04:38)
• On repression:
  “Te mataban varias veces, te decapitaban, te ahorcaban, te quemaban. Bueno, mejor al revés, primero te ahorcaban y luego te decapitaban, te descuartizaban.” (09:19)
• On justice and fate:
  “La justicia terrenal es un desastre y la divina… peor. Dios siempre está del lado de los malos.” — Nieves Concostrina (11:18)
• On fate of tyrants:
  “Los malos siempre ganan. Y murió a los 83, o sea que fue muy poco.” (13:00)
• On Lisbon today:
  “Como si la Libertad condujera al Marqués de Pombal… la plebe, muy idiota, le pusieron Avenida de la Libertad.” (13:41)

Important Timestamps

• 00:28–03:21: Framing Pombal's legacy, impact of 1755 earthquake
• 03:21–04:56: Listing of Pombal’s reforms and their double edge
• 04:56–07:30: Backstory of Oporto wines and British influence
• 07:30–09:30: The tavern-keepers’ revolt and Pombal’s harsh repression
• 10:05–11:15: Blame on Jesuits and show trials
• 11:15–13:00: Fall from grace, show trials against Pombal, final exile
• 13:00–14:08: Legacy in Lisbon, irony of monuments and social memory

Tone & Style

Throughout, the episode maintains Nieves Concostrina’s hallmark blend of biting humor, irreverence, and a critical, personal narrative style. The storytelling is dense with historical insight but always laced with irony and sarcasm, especially regarding tyrants, historical memory, and the role of justice.

This episode provides a vivid, critical account of Pombal—the man who rebuilt Portugal, but also left scars that linger in its social memory and symbols. It’s a must-listen (or read) for anyone interested in the intersections of power, reform, and the price of progress.