Convento do Espírito Santo

Convento do Espírito Santo
Near the castle, where the Tourist Office of Loulé is also situated, stands the Convento do Espírito Santo, a building which dates from the 17th century, having belonged to franciscan nuns devoted to Our Lady of the Conception.

The convent suffered great damages during the 1755 earthquake, but one can still admire the Baroque cloister, surrounded by semi-circular arches.

It was adapted, recently, to lodge an art gallery, and the place is now used for exhibitions and other municipal events.

The gallery includes a small museum nucleus to display the county´s activities.

A "reel of foundlings", with the aim of receiving abandonned children, is of peculiar interest.

A similar site can be seen at the entrance to the St.

Joseph Convent, at Lagoa.