In the past, the sea washed against the pebbles and left fish behind. Over time, it created an exceptional volcanic sand beach. Now, what could be a nature retreat has attracted so many tourists that parking is a real challenge.
A landscape worthy of a fairy tale is, without a doubt, the signature feature of the Seixal area. However, two less dazzling aspects stand out when comparing the beach’s “before and after”: the concrete that has replaced the volcanic rock and the frantic scramble by beachgoers for parking spots. The peace and quiet are gone.
This seaside spot gained fame—and rightly so—for its cinematic scenery. The green of the hillside contrasts perfectly with the black sand, which in turn meets the crystal-clear water. This picture, painted by Mother Nature, captivates travel enthusiasts, photographers, and sun- and sea-lovers alike. It has gone so viral on social media and travel vlogs that there is now barely enough room to squeeze in all the rental cars.
Some interesting facts and history from Seixal
Internet
Seixal is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Porto Moniz, on the north coast of the island of Madeira, whose .The history dates back to the initial settlement in the 16th century.
Origin of the Name Seixo or Seiceiro: The name of the village comes from “seiço” or “seixeiro” ( Salix canariensis ), a small riverside tree.
Wine barrels: The wood from this plant was used to make barrels for storing local wine.
Pebbles:
The abundance of pebbles and cobbles on the beaches also influenced the name.
Foundation and Growth
First settlers: They settled in Ribeira da Laje to cultivate cereals.Original chapel: Due to its geographical isolation from São Vicente and Porto Moniz, a chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony was built.
Creation of the parish: The locality was elevated to parish status by decree of King John III in 1553, transforming the old chapel into a parish church.
https://www.portomoniz.pt/pt/concelho/freg/seixal
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1230277917008578&set=seixalmeados-do-s%C3%A9culo-xxfoto-varela-p%C3%A8curto
https://www.dnoticias.pt/2019/8/5/232554-veja-como-mudou-a-freguesia-do-seixal-no-porto-moniz-em-134-anos/
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=670944076275301&set=antiga-estrada-real-n%C2%BA-23-seixalfotografia-de-jo%C3%A3o-francisco-camacho-das-%C3%BAltimas
It’s straightforward to decrease the visitor count on the island. There’s no point in grumbling about the past and present, they are stuck in their own mess.
Never to late to learn and be educated about the history of the past and even the present.