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.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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.

…………………………………………………………………………………..

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

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk45_Polygon-Wood-Cemetery-2

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. What a fascinating place Jo. And you have some lovely images there – the light off the stained glass in NS da Piedade is well caught. And azulejos are always appealing.
    Your previous sky shot in Cascais meant i was going to bring you a walk around Cascais this week, but never had time to pull it together. I’ll let you do yours on Monday, and might bring a different slant some time soon.
    Have a good weekend

    Like

    Reply

    1. That would be fantastic, Debs! It was a long promised visit and I liked the place very much. Glad I don’t have to compete with you! 🙂 🙂 but thanks for your kind words.

      Like

      Reply

    1. You know you’re welcome any time whatsoever, Gilly. Us idle folk appreciate the effort. I keep getting mesmerised by the silly snow, but I like it. 🙂 🙂 (WP that is 🙂 ) Off to see Paddington today, in Fenwick’s shop windows.

      Like

      Reply

  6. This sounds like a lovely walk! The fresco is so beautiful, and I love the pretty calcada. I am looking forward to visiting Portugal one day soon…to see all the beautiful tiles in person.

    Like

    Reply

  10. And yet another place I’ve never heard of but have now added to my Iberian bucket list. But will I ever get there, I ask myself. Fingers crossed, a visit next year should not be an impossibility. Keep ’em coming, Jo. Even if I never get there I can enjoy them from my computer.

    Like

    Reply

  13. Beautiful churches and both tile panels are awesome! Great walk Joanne. I really need to get to know the Algarve better! Looking forward to your visit to Cascais, you might have different views to mine.

    Like

    Reply

  14. Again great “walk-with-me” post. I love especially inside photos – very interesting and beautiful. Thank You for this post. Have a good day.

    P.S. Tomorrow Finland celebrates its 100 years Independence.

    Like

    Reply

      1. Yes Johanna – round the world. Here are some examples: World-famous sites all over the world like Colosseum, Niagara Falls and Rio’s Christ statue will be lit in blue December 5-6th. Colosseum was gorgeous when we saw it in our TV.

        Like

  15. Jo, a gem of a post!! 😀😀 I couldn’t believe the first photo is of tiles in a supermarket!! Not Tesco standard, obviously! I wouldn’t mind shopping here with you, though worry I’d become enthralled by the images! The chapel is divine, the church in town beautiful and I can see why the exhibition has to battle with the restored nave. A wonderful post and yippee…that is my kind of cake and ice cream…that will do perfectly! 😀❤️

    Like

    Reply

  16. Oh, what infinite variety you show – and cake too. You make me homesick for splendid churches – maybe the call of the northern hemisphere is getting louder. I’m about to go to the town where I buy my plane tickets, but they’re not on a very pedestrian list! This walk is anything but pedestrian in that sense. So much richness in a walk, and you see it all. No place anywhere near you ever delivers up all its pleasures: you always winkle out more. My morning walk today was with dog in the rain. After I found him. I was just getting desperate when a blanket on Hugo’s bed heaved up and he emerged (the dog, that is. Hugo emerged @1.45). What can I send you with hugs? Doubt rain’d be appreciated, so maybe a few flourishing herbs. They like rain better than my watering regime.

    Like

    Reply

    1. What a loyal friend you are! Always appreciative, always interested. It’s all there, for the want of looking, isn’t it, and I do so enjoy looking. The Convento was my find of the day. You would have loved it, Meg! 🙂 🙂 Thank heavens you hadn’t lost him! We’ve had 2 lovely days. It’s not going to last but it’s so nice to feel even wintery sun on your face. Thank you, darlin! Herbs would be delightful 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  20. So that’s the name of those delightfully pretty, but treacherous in the rain, pavements. Did I know that? Loule looks delightful, but I’m glad you walked up to the church and not me. You do get to see a lot on a day out don’t you? No wonder Mick needs his cake 😀

    Like

    Reply

    1. You might have known? I don’t often use the term because then you have to explain, but I did like Madhu’s post so decided to use it. 🙂 🙂 As Becky says, you can drive up there and then linger as long as you like.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.