Torre

A locality (sítio) in the parish (freguesia) of Câmara de Lobos (‘seals’ den’). Here stands the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Boa Hora, founded by the holder of the entail (morgado) António Correia Bettencourt Berenguer. It belonged to the house of the Counts of Torre Bela, who took the title of their countship from this locality. João Afonso Correia, one of Zargo’s companions, held extensive lands in Câmara de Lobos as a sesmaria (royal land grant to settlers on condition of cultivation), including the locality of Torre (‘tower’) and others, and is regarded as the founder of that distinguished and ancient Madeiran family.