The market in Loule, Portugal. (Photo pixabay.com)
I was meandering down a narrow street in the Portuguese city of Loulé, peering in the windows of tiny shops when I heard the delicate sound of a hammer hitting copper.
It rang out into the street. I stepped into The Copper Shop where a man was immersed in pounding tiny circular strips of copper into shiny baubles. Beside him they hung: lovely and ready to buy. He barely looked up from his craft as I looked on. Creating a piece of beauty was his goal; me taking one home would be a bonus.
It’s hard to describe the magic of not just buying a local-made trinket (or more) on an overseas trip. But to see it in the process of being made? Truly special.
Loule, a city with centuries of history, is shaping a future as a nirvana for artists and craftsmen – and those who admire them. Thanks to The Network of Loulé Criativo (https://loulecriativo.pt/en/home), a program designed to attract, support, encourage, and advance the success of both artists and the art program, you can learn about all kinds of artisan projects.
And while it takes a lot to drag me away from the beach on a coastal adventure, I found Loule so special, I headed back a second day.
From the narrow winding streets dotted with art and craft shops, to the huge, colorful covered market that spills outdoors some days of the week, to the ancient buildings like Loulé castle, Church of São Francisco, Matriz Church; a Loule day should be a must-add to any visit to the Algarve region of Portugal.
I headed to Loule from my two home bases – the Tivoli Carvoeiro and the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura (https://www.tivolihotels.com/en), curious about the melding of art and history.
People have lived in Loule, which sits in the heart of the Algarve region of Portugal, for over 40,000 years. It was in the 8th century AD that the Moors conquered it and ruled for more than 400 years, creating the urban landscape, building a castle, mosques and other buildings; some that still stand today.
Today it is both historic and modern. Farmers market booths dot the tree-lined open spaces. There, older locals sip espresso beside a gaggle of dressed-for-the-part motorcycle enthusiasts. Families meander in and out of the covered market, and on most corners, someone is playing accordion or another instrument for your pleasure (and a few donations).
But it’s the art, centered with the Loulé Criativo programs, that sealed the deal for me.
There with friends, we explored the city with a plan and some whimsy. We popped into a small shop where an older couple sat side by side weaving grass; their windows displaying beautiful pieces.
In the clay and textiles studios, the artists are both hands on and excited to chat about their projects and their creative effort. They felt like mini workshops and I wanted to hang with them and learn for hours.
But there’s so much more. We roamed the busy, winding streets and popped in where our curiosity took us; finding treasures to wear, local olive oil to bring home and beautiful artwork and tiles.
Should you want to take it deeper, the program offers workshops and art lessons in their main building; you can plan ahead and find out what’s available via their website.
But we were on more of a sensory exploration, and we all loved it. Streets drew us in just for their vibe. Coffee was easy to find, deliciously strong and amazingly cheap – so were little baked goods and snacks.
Earlier, an exquisite gold gown caught my eye in the window of a designer’s studio; but the door was locked. While the ocean and beaches awaited us, my friend had another idea. “Let’s find that shop and see if it’s open!”
We poked along looking for the spot we thought it was in and aha! Found it, door open and summer breeze rustling that dress in the window.
We entered, greeted by the designer himself, Lisbon’s own Luis Barbeiro. He pulled the gown from the window and smiled. “I’m not going to let you try another one; this is you!” he promised.
I walked out of the dressing room, swathed in a liquid gold that moved as gently as the sea breeze that day. I took it home, a dress that’s a testament to a most wonderful visit to a special art colony of a town.
Add Loule to your Portugal itinerary. Like me, you’ll come home with memories, an added understanding of artisan life and, if you’re lucky, some special something you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
