Curral das Freiras

The village of Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns) is situated in the county of Câmara de Lobos at the foot of a deep valley surrounded by mountains. It resembles the crater of an extinct volcano and is one of the few places on the island where it is not possible to have a sea view.

Its name derives from an unusual circumstance that occurred around 1560 when the sisters of the Convento de Santa Clara took refuge in there after fleeing French Lutheran pirates who had invaded the island and pillaged Funchal.

Câmara de Lobos