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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 Guest Book
Loulé Forum
Loulé Photos
Church
· Country Church
· Street
· Castle Walls
Loulé Map
Town Map
· São Brás de Alportel
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Loulé Events |
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| 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 |
| Fiestas de São Sebastião e N. Sra. das Dores (Boliqueime) |
September |
| Flea Market - (São Brás de Alportel) |
21st of every month |
| Market Day |
1st Saturday of each month
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Loulé Accommodation
Guest & Manor Houses
· Hotels
Loulé Entertainment
Restaurants
· What to Do
Loulé Golf
www.algarvegolf.net
Loulé Property
Estate Agents
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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Loulé Telephone Numbers
8100