Igreja Matriz de Loulé
Igreja de São Clemente
The church (built on the foundations of a Moorish mosque) dates back to the 13th century, but was completely rebuilt in the 16th and 18th centuries.
Coordinates: 37 ° 08’14.5 “N 8 ° 01’25.0” W
The bell tower is of Moorish origin and served as a minaret; it was rebuilt in the 16th century.
The church is open irregularly; the opening hours are shown at the entrance.
Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Piedade
Coordinates: 37°08’25.2″N 8°02’11.1″W
The chapel was built in 1553 on a hill west of Loulé. It was situated on the main route: São Brás de Alportel – Loulé – Boliqueime. From the forecourt there is a beautiful view of Loulé, the coast and the sea.
Around Easter, various religious events take place, and thousands of faithful make pilgrimages to the chapel to worship the Virgin Mary.
The chapel is relatively small and few believers find space in it. The altar was rebuilt after the earthquake (1755) in 1760 and gold-plated in 1764. The walls are covered with azulejos in the lower area. The side walls of the choir and of the nave were decorated at the end of the 19th century with ten 1,50 x 2,86 m sized stucco plates showing scenes from the Passion of Christ.
The curved ceiling is covered with painted wood.
In the 20th century, the domed building, visible from afar, was erected next to the chapel.
The building is kept simple in the interior and flooded with light through the surrounding windows.
Mass: Saturdays 10 am – Sundays 5 pm (only in winter)
Open for a free visit:
Tuesday to Sunday 9 am – 12:30 pm and 2 – 6 pm (5 pm in winter)
Closed on Mondays
Convento do Santo Antonio
Coordinates: 37°08’28.8″N 8°01’53.9″W
The origins of the Monastery of the Capuchin Community (Mendicant Order of the Franciscans) go back to 1546. This was probably a small, modest and poor building. In 1692, parts of today’s preserved building were completed. After the expiration of the religious community in 1834, the building served as a tannery as well as a residential building. The building was restored in the 1980s and today serves cultural purposes.
Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Coordinates: 37°08’22.8″N 8°01’24.1″W
1656 was begun with the construction of the outwardly simple chapel.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday from 09:30 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday from 09:30 am to 4:00 pm
Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Inside the Ermida you will find a carved wooden altar, which is completely gold-plated. On the side walls are painted azulejos depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.
Igreja de São Francisco
Coordinates: 37°08’25.1″N 8°01’31.8″W
The church was built in the 18th century by reconstruction and extension of the 16th century Ermida de São Sebastião.
In July 2019, when renovating an outbuilding of the church, well-preserved altarpieces, icons, sculptures and other objects of great cultural value were discovered.
The church can only be visited during mass hours.