The Pillory, known locally as Stub srama, is a historical monument located in the main square of Kotor's Stari Grad (Old Town). This stone column served as a public instrument of punishment and humiliation within the medieval and early modern legal system of the Republic of Venice, which controlled Kotor for centuries.

Its primary function was to publicly shame individuals convicted of minor offenses, such as petty theft, public disorder, or moral transgressions. The condemned would be bound to the pillar, often with their hands secured, and exposed to the judgment and ridicule of the community. This practice was intended to reinforce social norms and deter criminal behavior through public spectacle rather than corporal punishment.

The Pillory stands as a tangible reminder of the judicial and penal practices that were common in European cities during the Venetian period. It represents the authority of the state and the communal enforcement of laws and moral codes. Its placement in the central square, the heart of public life, underscores its role as a tool for social control and a symbol of the governing power's reach into daily life.

While the exact date of its erection is not precisely documented, it is contemporaneous with the peak of Venetian rule in Kotor, which lasted from 1420 to 1797. The monument survived the major earthquakes that have struck the region, including the devastating one in 1667, remaining an integral part of the urban fabric. It is one of the few such structures preserved in the Adriatic region.

Today, the Pillory is a protected cultural heritage site. It no longer serves its original punitive purpose but functions as a historical landmark that educates visitors about the social history and legal traditions of the once-powerful maritime republic. It contributes to the rich tapestry of monuments within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of Kotor, offering insight into aspects of life beyond the more commonly highlighted military and religious history.