The pleasant inland town of Loulé is renowned for its traditional handicrafts and splendid market. The Romans first settled on the spot now occupied by the castle, but it was the Moors for whom Loulé was to become a place of some importance. Remnants of their presence can still be seen in the bell tower of Igreja Matriz de São Clemente, formerly a minaret. The castle is also Moorish in origin. Almonds and figs have been essential to the local economy for centuries.
Visitor Information: Ave 25 de Abril 9; (289) 463 900
Pólo Museológico dos Frutos Secos: Rua Gil Vincente 14
Loulé Carnival: in Feb (Shrove Tuesday)
Market: Praça da República; open 7am–3pm daily
Igreja Matriz de São Lourenço: Rua do Igreja, Almancil
The highlight of this museum is the first-floor recreation of a traditional Algarve kitchen, complete with 19th-century utensils and tableware (see Museu Municipal de Loulé).
About 8 km (5 miles) southeast of Loulé, at Almancil, blue and white azulejo panels adorn the walls of the chancel, nave and the magnificent trompe-l’oeil cupola of this decorative church.
The ruins of this fortress underwent restoration during the 19th century, and today the castle houses a museum (see Castelo de Castro Marim). Visitors are rewarded with grand views of the town from its battlements.
This original museum focuses on early harvesting methods for figs, carob and almond fruit. It was built in homage to a local businessman.
This 16th-century chapel is decorated with azulejos and has a stunning Baroque altarpiece. The ceiling panel is by the Loulé painter Rasquinho.
The decorated and vaulted ceilings of this former convent provide a splendid setting for the selection of contemporary paintings, sculptures and conceptual installations that are on display inside. There are regular contributions from local and international artists.
The biggest, brightest and rowdiest of the Algarve’s carnivals. Costume-clad revellers shake, rattle and roll for three days and nights to hybrid Latin rhythm and African-style percussion.
Loulé’s Muslim faithful were once summoned to prayer from the balcony of the lofty bell tower, which originally served as a minaret. Other highlights are the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Consolação and the Capela de São Brás’s Baroque altarpiece.
The well-preserved ruins of an Islamic bathhouse known as hammam de Al-’Ulyà can be admired from a public viewing platform above the foundations, which date from the 1200s.
Mixed herbs, cheeses and red chilli peppers are sold alongside sweet figs, marzipan cakes and golden honey. Elsewhere, flowers, the freshest of fish, the ripest of fruit and a variety of genuine handicrafts, make a visit to Loulé market an unforgettable shopping experience.
It was the inauguration of an artisans’ fair back in 1291 that forged Loulé’s reputation as a manufacturing centre. Many of the techniques used 800 years ago are still employed today. Ceramics are popular with tourists. In many local villages, residents still plait the leaves of dwarf palms to make hats, baskets and rugs; jute fibre is used to stitch pretty rag dolls. Saddleries tucked away in quiet hamlets supply harnesses for mules, and old wooden looms are used to produce shawls and blankets.
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