Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception

Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception
Following the Rua de Dom Fernando street, parallel to the Cadavais Stream, you can find this chapel, which should be visited if you are stopping at Alcoutim, the more so because it lodges the county´s Religious Art Museum.

The original construction was Gothic, but it was later remodelled in the Manueline style, during the 16th century.

The actual building is from the 18th century, but you can still see the former 16th-century portal, topped by a bell.

A fine staircase of Baroque characteristics leads to the big churchyard, offering excellent viwes over the small town and the surrounding fields, and of all the different landscapes.

Inside, the altarpiece lies under a circular vault and on its gilded retable, from the 17th century, there is a beautiful image of the patron saint, Nossa Senhora da Conceição.

Outside, the white-washed walls belong to the typical and harmonious architecture of this luminous and sunny Algarve, very close to the neighbouring Alentejo.

On the roof you can see a nest of storks which chose this chapel for their home.