Nuns Valley

Nuns Valley, also known as “Curral das Freiras”, is a beautiful valley located in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos on the island of Madeira. The valley is named after the nuns who lived there in the 15th century and is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural history. The parish of Curral das Freiras is situated in an unusual area. It’s positioned in a large valley that resembles the crater of a big volcano. As a result, it is among the island’s most scenic parishes but because of its position, it has extremely hot summers and harsher winters.

The name was bestowed in what is said to have been a peculiar circumstance sometime around 1560. The nuns of Funchal’s Convent of Santa Clara, discovered the perfect refuge in the area tucked away amid the mountains as they fled the French Lutheran corsairs who had invaded the island and destroyed the city of Funchal.

One of the few areas on the island that cannot be seen from the sea is Curral das Freiras which is more protected and challenging to reach. There is still only one entry point along a winding road even now. Traveling to Funchal and the rest of the island was greatly facilitated by the new tunnels. A small population center was created as a haven for fugitives and slaves. Curral das Freiras was initially referred to as Curral or Curral da Serra. This was a result of it simply being a grazing center that was only used by shepherds at the time.

The splendor of this parish can be admired from Jardim da Serra, through Boca dos Namorados and Boca da Corrida, and from Eira do Serrado. Overall, Nuns Valley is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Madeira. Its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural history, and traditional village make it a unique and unforgettable place to visit.