The Chão da Ribeira above Seixal is a high valley with a fascinating mix of nature and cultural history. Historically, this valley was used intensively by the local population for agriculture and livestock farming. Traditional haystacks, which were built in the early days of settlement and today – together with countless agricultural terraces – characterize the landscape, are visible evidence of the farming activities.
On the pastures are the “Palheiros”, small huts where tools, fodder and other materials were stored. Today, some of them have been renovated and serve as weekend cottages or for traditional celebrations and gatherings.
A largely unknown tradition was the use of cable systems (“fio”) to transport wood and shrubs from the higher forests of Fanal down to the valley. These raw materials were used as fuel, among other things. The leaves were also a welcome resource and were used as fertilizer.
The municipality of Seixal has a long wine-growing tradition. In addition to wine production, spirits were also made from wine yeast. In the past, however, the sale of these spirits was prohibited or restricted. Therefore, these products were smuggled up to Paúl da Serra and further south via steeply ascending paths.
Today, Chão da Ribeira in Seixal has a small, cozy picnic area with a barbecue, tables and benches. This is also where the “Festa do Panelo” takes place in January, where a traditional stew of vegetables and sausages is prepared and enjoyed.
The origin: after Christmas, the young people of Seixal would collect some salted pork from each household and cabbage and potatoes from the fields of Chão da Ribeira.
Everything was then prepared as a stew and served on the floor over cabbage and bay leaves. This is how the idea of “Panelo” was born and it is still the case today that participants bring their own ingredients (and of course plates and cutlery).
The Chão da Ribeira forest area is part of the Laurisilva (laurel forest) and is also the starting point for some hiking trails and more challenging activities such as canyoning.
Almost at the end of the ever-narrowing valley is a trout farm, which is fed with water from the Levada do Chão da Ribeira.
The Levada do Chão da Ribeira is divided into two main branches: The branch on the right bank of the Ribeira do Seixal follows the Caminho do Chão da Ribeira and the branch on the left bank flows towards Seixal via the Vereda do Moinho. At the end of the two canals is an ancient “water distribution box” carved in stone.
