Jo’s Monday walk : Loitering in LOULÉ

I always try for variety in my walks.  Sometimes I have to look back to see where I’ve taken you, as was the case with Loulé .  The attractive tile panel of the Arab market, shown above, was hidden away in a Pingo Doce supermarket. (I was looking for a birthday cake at the time, strangely enough)  Loulé is one of those places you can go when the Algarve weather is not all that you might have hoped for. (yes, it happens!  Though not often, in my experience.)  There’s always something of interest to see and do there.

Despite the urban sprawl, it has a rather elegant old quarter, resplendent with calçadas, so I’m sure my friend Madhu would enjoy it.  Billowy panels fluttered above the streets, evidence that it had been consistently hot and sunny.  Meandering on Rua 5 de Outubro, I had an urge to go and see Nossa Senhora da Piedade.  It’s an uphill climb to the church, but I think it’s worth it.

Calcadas rule!
Keeping the sun out
Shiny chocolate brown tiles
5th October Street
For tethering a horse? Becky would know!
Look carefully! It’s the Senhora, being carried through the streets

As luck would have it, I was diverted before I could even begin my climb.  A banner on the side of a church building proclaimed the closing days of an art exhibition, by João Garcia Miguel.  A smile from the receptionist, just inside the doors of Convento de Santo Antonio, invited me inside.

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But what an extraordinary sight greeted my eyes.  I’m afraid the art exhibition took second place.  The central nave of the church had been restored, in a plain and simple style, while retaining the crumbly but beautiful arches and alcoves of the side chapel.

A solitary, beautiful fresco vied with the artwork.  The most joyful experience!  The cloisters were barriered off and in poor condition, but restoration appeared to be ongoing.  I will return, for sure.  But first, a hill for us to climb…

I won’t dwell too long on Nossa Senhora da Piedade, as we’ve been there before, but I’m sure you can see the attraction.  The tiny chapel was built in 1553, almost survived the earthquake of 1755, and has been restored in all its exquisite detail since then.

Overshadowed by the huge dome of the 2oth century addition, you might never know this chapel exists, but it’s been bringing the crowds here for the Easter procession since the 16th century.

I must have had my religious head on that day because, wandering back into town, I found myself drawn to Nossa Senhora da Conceição.  Sitting in a quiet corner on Rua Paio Peres Correia, there’s often a queue outside this small chapel with its beautiful 18th century azulejos.  I was lucky!

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So many riches in my walk today!  I think we’ll just tootle past the bandstand and head for home.  But, wait a minute!  I’ve not treated you to cake lately, have I?  Better put that right.  Please, be my guest!

I do like this bandstand
Chocolate cake so, obviously, not mine!

I hope you enjoyed returning with me to Loulé today.  Next week I plan to take you to Cascais, on the Lisbon coast.  A change is as good as a rest?

Thanks so much for the lovely response I got last week.  I’ve got some great walks to share, so let’s get that kettle on and settle in.  Join me with a walk of your own any time.  Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

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Anabel starts us off with a walk around a delightful Scottish island I’d never even heard of!

A walk round Kerrera

Cathy wanders in all sorts of fascinating places.  Some day I’ll catch up!

A walking tour of Pest & a confusing (but fun) visit to the szechenyi thermal baths

And closer to home :

Maryland Heights : the Overlook Cliff Trail

This week Jackie is being disgustingly lazy.  I know- I’m jealous!

Tutti Frutti

And Ellen only breaks into a saunter now and again :

Going for a Crazy Cabbagetown Walk/Atlanta, Georgia, Pt.2

Not our Sue, though!  Energy is her middle name :

Irish Cliffs of Moher and Selfie Shenanigans

Hikeminded!  Isn’t that a great name?  I hope you’ll read her post too :

Berlin Day Hike : Fallen Leaves in Blumenthal

I think Carol deliberately set me up with this one.  May not be quite what you expect :

Roaming in Roma

Shazza stays close to home, and braves the weather :

A waterfall walk in the Dales

And talking of weather, these seas look awfully cold, Drake!

Traveling boxes

Australian beaches are a sight to behold, especially in the company of Meg  :

Eurobodalla beaches : Josh’s Beach

Woolly tells me that there are more than 2,500 Commonwealth War Grave cemeteries on the Western Front.  So much sadness!

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk44_Polygon-Wood-Cemetery

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Come boardwalking in the sunny south with Pauline!  It’ll set you up for the week ahead :

Joining Jo on a Monday walk

Another sunny city that I’ve always wanted to see (and don’t miss the Transporter Bridge)- thanks Cadyluck Leedy!

Jo’s Monday Walk: Bilboa, Spain

That’s it for another week.  I have my last pre-Christmas walk with my walking group today, so I expect mince pies will follow.

120 comments

  1. Thanks, Jo, for taking me around with you on your walk. You certainly spot wonderful details to show in your pictures. 🙂
    Have a great week,
    Pit

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  2. Pingback: Irish Cliffs of Moher and Selfie Shenanigans - Travel Tales of Life

  3. Jo I am completely struck by how much work it would have been to lay down every piece of tile and cobblestone you have just shown us. The enormity of creating beauty on the road, path, walls, ceilings you name it is beyond my imagination. Thanks for the chocolate cake too! Now because I seem to be behind all the time I shall link back to this post via mine which you have been so very kind to share. Many thanks my friend.

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    1. You are more than welcome, Sue- especially to the cake. Better on your hips than mine 🙂 🙂 At any given time in the Algarve you can find workers on their knees replacing some of these cobbles. It’s an unbelievable amount of work!

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  4. Fan of Portugal so enjoyed reading about this Monday Walk. Off to Portugal early January so have made a note of it!

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  5. I love this walk so much, Jo. So many beautiful things to see: the wonderful tile panel in the Arab market and the market itself, that beautiful fresco in Convento de Santo Antonio, the walk and view from the hill, and that gorgeous restored chapel. Wow!! I love it all. And then, the top off with cake, of course. I really don’t know how you stay so slim, Jo, with all that cake! 🙂

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  13. The first thing I look for in a new town is the art gallery and this one you took us to in the church building, that the art was in, was an amazing work of art too. Loved the slide show, the carvings on the wall were exquisite. The puff up the hill was certainly worth the effort too. I think I can allow myself to indulge in that delicious looking cake after all that walking.

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    2. Did you visit Madhu’s site? She has a full and beautiful article about them. Such a distinctive and lovely feature. Glad you liked them, and yes, of course, I’ll use your post next week. 🙂 🙂

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    2. Oh wow just enjoyed the slide shows. On phone this morning so didn’t work initially. So glad I persevered. The one of Convento de Santo Antonio is extraordinary. No wonder the art exhibition took second place.

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      1. That’s one of the problems of viewing on the phone, isn’t it? Thanks for persevering. 🙂 Have you seen this church? They’re doing an amazing job. Not sure what’s on there now.

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