The “Loulé, City of Markets” project, which is born out of a partnership between ACRAL, the House of Culture of Loulé and the Municipality of Loulé, starts on May 3rd.
It is an itinerary that aims to make the connection between the traditional Municipal Market and the Santo António Market, creating a series of themed markets, entertainment spots, cultural activities, without forgetting the local commerce and the rich historical heritage of the city, showing the visitor the best that Loulé has to offer.
This initiative will take place on the first Saturday of each month, from 9:00 am to 16:0 pm, and will integrate Rua Maria Campina, Praça da República (Municipal Market), Rua 5 de Outubro (Rua das Lojas), Largo de S. Francisco, Praça Manuel d 'Arriaga, Rua Brites de Almeida, Rua Marçal Aboim and the Santo António Market area, not forgetting the Historic Area and all its points of tourist interest.
This project is based on the city's strong tradition linked to markets dating back to the Middle Ages.
Loulé is currently one of the oldest commercial squares in the Algarve and one of the strongest in the region, with its Municipal Market which is one of the ex libris from the city, where you can find the best fish, vegetables and various handicraft items, but also the Santo António Market, one of the most attractive places to visit for tourists.
“At present, most tourists who visit us buy a package for the Mercado de Santo António, but Loulé has much more to offer and to visit. Therefore, we have to value the best we have in our city, from art to culture, to gastronomy, and our proposal is that people who come to Loulé start doing the itinerary “Loulé, City of Markets”” , said José Leal, responsible for ACRAL, during the presentation of the project.
Thus, it is intended that the arrival point of tourists is Avenida 25 de Abril, where there is already a bus stop. The route will begin with activities on Rua Maria Campina, an artery that has its own tenant dynamics, as this is a commercial area par excellence.
With this itinerary it is also intended to create, next to the Statue of Dr. Batalim, a space for Arts and Cultures, where photographers, painters, caricaturists can make their work live and sell them.
The route then continues to the Municipal Market, which already has its own dynamics, especially on Saturday mornings, and which is a favorite place for those visiting Loulé, a space with colors, smells and flavors. But it is now intended to add moments of animation in this space as well, such as flash mobs or another type of animation with drama groups.
From here, the route goes to Praça da República, where traditional commerce is also invited to come out onto the street to sell their products. All shopkeepers who wish to do so and who have the opportunity will be able to extend their activities to the street, not only in this artery, but also on Rua Maria Campina and Rua 5 de Outubro.
Praça da República will also be a lively spot and Cerca do Convento, where the “Mercadinho de Loulé” takes place every Saturday, will also be included in “Loulé, City of Markets”.
So, on May 3rd, the thematic market that will be here will be dedicated to “Traditions, Pleasures and Experiences”. This space is also intended for musical performances and gym clubs.
The script then moves to Rua 5 de Outubro (Rua das Lojas), also with its commercial dynamics. In addition to the music groups that usually work in this artery, other musical animation groups will also be invited.
It then follows to Largo de S. Francisco where a Fair of Flowers, Herbs and other Plants will take place. This area can also offer a visit to the Church of S. Francisco and the Museum of Frutos Secos.
Here the script continues inside. “Right now, people who visit Mercado de Santo António on Saturday mornings, as a rule, go to Rua da Nossa Senhora da Piedade, a street with a lot of car traffic and quite dangerous. Through this itinerary, they are invited to detour to the interior of the city”, explained the person in charge of ACRAL.
Thus, the visitor will pass through the garden of Largo Manuel d'Arriaga, in front of the Loulé Jardim Hotel, unknown to most tourists but which is a pleasant space. This entire area will be destined for collectors, antiques and the flea market.
The next crossing point will be Rua Brites de Almeida, behind the Hortas de Santo António School, where old motor vehicles, from cars to motorcycles, will be on display. On the other hand, Rua Marçal Aboim (connecting the BP roundabout to the Homem do Andor roundabout) is intended for a food and beverage space, with several trailers, an area that is different in terms of gastronomy from that which exists in the center of the city.
The route ends at Largo do Convento de Santo António, in front of the Santo António Weekly Market.
In parallel to this itinerary, guided tours will also be scheduled to historic places in Loulé, as the Historic Zone is also intended to be part of the route, with everything it has to offer in terms of culture, heritage, art and also of commerce.
As such, the Castle, the Municipal Museum, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, the Bicas Velhas, the Jardim dos Amuados and the Igreja Matriz will be key points in “Loulé, City of Markets”.
On the 3rd of May, the “Symbols and Documents of April Exhibition”, open to the public at the Convento de Santo António, which is also part of this tour, and the 2nd Loulé Fashion, a fashion show with models and stores, stand out. de Loulé, taking place at the Municipal Market.
“This is the route that we propose for people who visit, both national and foreign tourists as well as people from neighboring municipalities who want to return to the city of Loulé because we have very attractive commercial areas and markets with great potential. This is the intention of this itinerary”, stressed José Leal, who also mentioned that it is one of the objectives for visitors to extend their stay in the city, as the tendency is for tourists to stay in Loulé until 16 pm.
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