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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 are remaining 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. The weekly Fair attracts tourists from all along the
Algarve. Due to the needs of the tourist industry this town has
blossomed in size. An important event is the annual Carnival in the
month of February that is considered to be one of the best in
Portugal. In the town there is a recently opened Museum that is
devoted to the local industry of dried fruits and it is interesting
to see how these items 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 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 unspoilt rural architecture and its
enthusiasm for folk music. Another inland village is Paderne
that has a romantic ruined 13th Century castle 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 is the village of Querença
with its stalactite caves; the village of Salir with ruins of a
castle and nearby two 800 metre long walls from the Neolithic period.
São Brás de Alportel and Santa Bárbara de Nexe, are both
small country towns with their essential Portuguese flavour reflecting
the rural social style of life. In São Bras de Alportel 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 Events
February - Carnival
May - Feira de Mãe Soberana
1st Saturday of each month - Market Day
13th of May - Municipal Day
 Useful Loulé Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 289 400 600
Fire Brigade - 289 516 702 / 289 416 704
Police - 289 416 408 / 289 627 82
Emergency Treatment - 289 313 665
Ambulance - 289 516 702
Tourist Office - 289 463 900
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 |
