[3] The name "cas di torto" likely originates from the Spanish "casas de torta," brought by settlers from the Paraguaná Peninsula in Venezuela to Aruba.

It is located 26 kilometres (16 mi) off the coast of the Colombian Paraguana Peninsula in mainland South America.

On the northern coast, steep and rocky cliffs that are constantly battered by powerful waves due to the prevailing Northeast Trade Winds.

The vegetation mainly comprises species that are capable of surviving the occasional long periods of drought, with cacti being a prominent example.

[citation needed] In the 17th and 18th centuries, only a small amount of building materials was transported from the Netherlands to Aruba.

Occasionally, green wood is used, which increases the chance of the posts taking root and enhances stability.

[8] The weaving was then sealed on two sides with this so-called, torto, composed of loam mixed with dried fibers of para grass.

[2] The floors were covered with a layer of torto, preferably blended with the traditional cement of old times, namely cow dung.

Now that I'm an old woman I keep remembering How one time my grandmother stood and shook her head Me, holding her hand, asked what she said?

And from that time on It always embraced the cactus That, we can call, a good friend Me and my grandmother can testify to that Wood pieces are placed atop of the poles to support the roof beams.

Roofs were commonly constructed using maishi chiki (Sorghum bicolor), signalgrass (Brachiaria mollis), palmtree leaves (Arecaceae), or maize stems, locally referred to as chosa (before c.

This method appears to have been introduced by groups of Spanish refugees who were expelled from Venezuela during the Venezuelan War of Independence and settled in Aruba.

The outer surface of this cacti roofing was finished with the same torto used for the walls, and a final layer of white lime was applied.

These are called fireproof and waterproof roofs; however, in regard to the latter, they are not; because I have often seen, during heavy rain, water mixed with clay running along the walls into the house.

To expand on this basic torto house, a covered enclosure was added on the south side of the cottage.

This fireplace featured a raised fire pit, about 85 centimetres (2.79 ft) above the floor, completely surrounded by walls.

By placing the fireplace against the western wall, the natural airflow generated by the trade winds effectively carried the smoke away, ensuring minimal inconvenience to the residents.

This cap was designated to prevent wind from entering the chimney while allowing the smoke to escape in the opposite direction.