Loulé History
This place is a rural administrative and active market town with some
remains of a castle dating back to the 12th Century. The Arab castle has been
virtually destroyed leaving some walls still standing that are now surrounded by
modern buildings. Like most other towns in the Algarve, most of the older
potentially interesting buildings have been destroyed in the earthquake that
occurred in 1755.
Loulé Description
Within the remaining walls is a museum with an explanation of what was in the
past the grandeur of the castle. The various earthquakes that it has suffered
through its history have damaged the 13th Century Church of São Clemente.
However, its Gothic arches and side chapels that are from the 16th Century have
survived. The town Loulé consisting of some 20,000 residents is mainly concerned
in producing souvenir products made out of copperware, leather, cane and wood,
or, servicing the tourist industry. The weekly Fair attracts tourists from all
along the Algarve. Due to the demands of the tourism this town has blossomed in
size. An important event is the annual Carnival held in February that is
considered to be one of the best in Portugal. In the town there is a Museum that
is devoted to the local industry of dried fruits and it is interesting to see
how these products are prepared for the public. To the west of the town is a
hilltop Church that is built on the site of a 16th Century chapel. This is the
destination of an annual religious procession that requires some physical effort
on the part of the bearers of the church's religious shrines.
Loulé Nearby Locations
Near to Loulé is Almancil a small town that acts also as a supplier of services
to the prosperous holiday areas just south on the coast. Further inland is the
small village of Alte, a village that is known for its un-spoilt rural
architecture and its enthusiasm for folk music. Another inland village is
Paderne that has a romantic 13th Century castle in ruins sitting alone on the
crest of a deserted hilltop. The coastal town of Quarteira that was once a
fishing village is now converted into a multi-apartment tourist location. Not
too far away from Loulé is the village of Querença with its stalactite caves.
Also, the village of Salir with ruins of a castle and a nearby two 800 meters
long walls from the Neolithic period. The small village of Benafim existing from
Arab times and within easy reach of Loulé, still reflects rural life from the
early part of the last century.
This area has two added attractions in both the caves at Alto Fica and the rock
face of Rocha da Pena. The towns of São Brás de Alportel and Santa Bárbara de
Nexe, are both small and also demonstrate the fast disappearing Portuguese
atmosphere reflecting the rural social style of life. In São Bras de Alportel
there is an interesting museum that houses a permanent collection of rural
artefacts and costumes truly reflecting the past manner of living in the
Algarve.
Loulé Golf
Laguna ·
Millennium · Old Course · Pinhal · Victoria
Vila Sol
Loulé Events
Carnival Procession |
February/March |
Feira de Mãe Soberana |
May |
Town Holiday |
1st June |
Festival de Jazz |
July/August |
Festa do Petisco |
August |
Feira de Salir (Salir) |
September |
Feira dos Frutos Secos de Tôr |
September |
Festa de S. Sebastião e N. Sra. das Dores (Boliqueime) |
September |
Flea Market - (São Brás de Alportel) |
21st of every month |
Market Day |
1st Sat. of every month |
Loulé Map (Click Here)
Faro Airport Transfer to Loulé
Faro Taxi to Loulé
Loulé Weather
Loulé Information
289 400 600 - Town Hall
289 416 704 - Fire Brigade
289 410 490 - Police
289 313 665 - Emergency Treatment
289 516 702 - Ambulance
289 401 100 - Hospital
289 463 900 - Tourist Office
800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
Loulé Locations of Interest
289 400 602 - Municipal Museum of Archaeology
289 400 600 - Museum of Dried Fruits
289 400 601 - Convento do Espírito Santo
Castle - (Paderne)
Castle - (Salir)
Caves of Alto Fica - (Benafim)
Church - Igreja da Dona Bona - (Alte)
Rocha da Pena - Hill Ridge
Village - (Alte)
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