Torrinhas (pass)
Original title: Torrinhas (Boca das)
Mountain pass at 1,454 metres linking the serra of Boaventura with the heights of Lombo Grande above Curral das Freiras, noted for its surviving laurel woods and native plants such as Isoplexis sceptrum and Sedum farinosum.
It forms the pass between the uplands of Boa Ventura and the heights of Lombo Grande (‘great ridge’) in Curral das Freiras (‘nuns’ fold’). The surrounding hills are still covered with luxuriant vegetation, and on the Boa Ventura side there are also fine laurel woods, as well as numerous specimens of Isoplexis sceptrum, one of the loveliest shrubs in Madeira. (1921)
On the rocks flanking the Boca das Torrinhas (‘pass of the little towers’), Sedum farinosum grows in abundance: a small native member of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) that is not found in the low-lying parts of the island.
The Torrinhas (‘little towers’) lie 1,454 metres above sea level, 5 hours’ journey from Boa Ventura and 3 from Curral das Freiras.
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Places mentioned · 05- Torrinhas · Subject
São Vicente
Mountain pass (Boca das Torrinhas) at 1,454 metres in the interior of Madeira, linking the serra of Boaventura with the heights of Lombo Grande above Curral das Freiras. The Ribeira dos Socorridos rises there. It is noted for surviving laurel woods and native plants such as Isoplexis sceptrum and Sedum farinosum.
- Boaventura
São Vicente. Parish whose side of the pass has fine laurel woods, five hours' journey away.
North-coast parish in the municipality of São Vicente, one of the three parishes forming its julgado and concelho. Its serras are a habitat of the pau branco, and it suffered damage in the floods of 1895. Off its coast lie the Boaventura islets, also called ilhéu Porco and ilhéu Vermelho.
- Curral das Freiras
Câmara de Lobos. Parish reached from the pass in about three hours.
Small inland parish set in a deep valley believed to be an extinct volcanic crater and Madeira's main eruptive focus. The estate was bought for the nuns of Santa Clara, who fled there in 1566 and gave it their name, and it was created a parish in 1790. It was earlier a pasture and a refuge for runaway slaves and criminals, and it became a julgado of the Funchal comarca in 1927.
- Lombo Grande
Câmara de Lobos. Height above Curral das Freiras forming the other side of the pass.
Lombo Grande is a long ridge running from Curral das Freiras parish up to the Serra das Torrinhas. It forms one side of the Boca das Torrinhas pass and is crossed by a road to Boaventura with a branch towards Pico Ruivo.
- Serra de Boaventura
São Vicente. One of the two heights between which the Boca das Torrinhas pass lies.
Serra de Boaventura is the upland of Boaventura parish, Madeira, part of which is said to be state property. It is one of the two heights between which the Boca das Torrinhas pass lies.