With spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and other more restful Arcadian sights, Monchique provides an often welcome break from beaches, holiday resorts and the general hubbub of the coast.
Walking through the steep, tranquil streets of this age-old mountain retreat, the lines of traditional whitewashed houses with their colourful window borders break here and there enabling glimpses of rich green forest, bougainvillea and mimosa. The former Franciscan monastery of Nossa Senhora de Desterro (Our Lady of Exile) built in the 17th century is today a charming and mysterious ruin with a garden containing the “Fonte dos Passerinhos” (fountain of little birds) decorated with traditional Portuguese tile work depicting bird motifs.
The garden also contains a wondrous magnolia tree, thought to be the largest in Europe. The statue of Nossa Senhora de Desterro that once enjoyed pride of place in the old monastery now adorns Monchiques Church of São Sebaastião (St Sebastian).
Monchique was granted its civil charter in 1773 and has historically lived from agricultural produce, charcoal production and wood craft 8a good example being the folding Monchique wooden chairs, made in the Roman tradition, on sale in many of the craft shops in the village). A degree of prosperity came from local textile production in the weaving of wool and linen garments required by the townsfolk during the winter months.
Creeping industrialisation from the late 19th century caused a dramatic reduction in Monchique’s textile trade, however the tradition has survived through the range of classic Monchique knitwear, which is on sale, at very reasonable prices in a good many shops both in Monchique and at many other locations throughout the Algarve.
Just 6 Km south of Monchique is the tiny spa town of Caldas de Monchique whose waters, famous for the past 2000 years, are said to cure a variety of ills, including rheumatism, back-ache and asthma.