One of the most common theories regarding the origins of Madalena do Mar’s name, is that it is owed to a plantation that used to be there since the early days of the colonization, with a chapel whose patron saint would have been Saint Maria Madalena.

Henrique Alemão, who was from Poland, was the early founder of this settlement.

For a long time, sugar cane has been cultivated at a large scale. Therefore, in no time, a device for sugar manufacture was created. Soon, the place became an important manufacturing centre of that kind.

Today, the land is still very fertile for the so called rich crops. As such, Madalena do Mar is also known for banana production for export.