Castle

Castle
Originally, it is likely that Loulé was surrounded by a vast perimeter of defensive walls (about 940 metres long), linked, at the top of a hill, by the castle.

Built after the Christian reconquest, probably in the 13th century, there are only remnants of two towers and some vestiges lost among the city´s houses.

The castle has three towers, a turret and, next to the battlements, the former sentinel´s round offers excellent views of the city and the surrounding landscape.

Crossing the arch that once defended the entrance gate, the visitor can see a courtyard with a well at the center and some medieval stones.

The ancient mayor´s house, built in the 14th century, was later remodelled in the 18th century.

The first floor now lodges the Historical Archive of Loulé and the Municipal Archaeological Museum.

It is said that the mayor´s mansion received such illustrious visitors as king Pedro I, king Afonso V and king Sebastian.