Loulé

In the midst of vineyards, olive, fig and orange groves lies Loulé - a centre of arts and crafts. Every Saturday morning locals and tourists alike jostle for position in front of the colourful sales stands around the covered market where, first and foremost, art objects from the local workshops are offered for sale.
In the centre of Loulé you will stumble across numerous relics from a time when the Moors were still in power. The Castelo or castle complex is also of Moorish origin, although very... little of the original buildings still exists. A section of the city wall and a few towers were, however, restored and now provide a wonderful view of Loulé. In the small Nossa Senhora da Conceição church, both the carved alter and the blue and white Azulejos from the 18th Century are worth seeing. To the west, enthroned on a hill, is the famous Capale de Nossa Senhora da Piedade piligramage chapel which is the destination of a large pilgrimage to the East every year. more

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