Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns)

This was taken from a view point, Eira do Serrado, which overlooks the Valley of the Nuns. In 1566, the sisters of Santa Clara in Funchal ran away from a pirate attack. They took all their belongings and hid inside this secret valley. Today, the village produces sweet chestnut products from liqueur to all kinds of chestnut dishes. There is a chestnut festival held on 1st November every year to mark the first day of the chestnut harvest.