SAINT MARTIN FESTIVITIES - PORTUGAL
The Saint Martin Festivities is held at 11th November. It is celebrated by both the Catholic Church and people who take the opportunity to roast the last chestnuts. The Saint Martin Festivity is very illustrative of the faith and traditions of the people of Madeira. A grand festival dedicated to its patron saint is held at St. Martin Church, where the traditional pilgrimages once took place.
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THE FESTIVAL OF SAINT MARTIN (FESTA DE SÃO MARTINHO)
Steeped in tradition and held at St. Martins Church in São Martinho, Funchal, the eve of the festival is very important as it is traditional to taste the wines and enjoy roast Bacalhau (cod fish). The Festival of São Martinho is held on the 11th November, at the church in São Martinho Funchal. A great night is had by all. Traditional food is served - roasted cod fish, and chestnuts along with the first taste of this year’s wine from the grape harvest in September. If you are in Madeira, it is well worth a visit. It gets very busy in the evening, but well worth the trip.
This weekend is the festival at São Martinho, the traditional time to eat roasted Bacalhau and taste the new wine of the year. The eve of the day is Saturday night this year, with the day of São Martinho on the 11th November, always a very busy and popular festival. If you are not keen on Bacalhau (cod fish) then eat before you go.
CELEBRATE ST. MARTIN’S DAY IN PORTUGAL - SÃO MARTINHO, CASTANHAS & MAGUSTOS
In many parts of the world, November 11 is celebrated as St. Martin’s Day. It is a holiday honoring Martin of Tours, a 4th century Roman soldier who is known for a certain miracle. Riding on horseback in a snowstorm, Martin came upon a nearly naked beggar. Not having any money or food, Martin took his sword, cut his cloak in half and gave the cloth to the beggar. Legend has it that clouds dispersed, the sun came out, and Jesus said to the angels, “Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptized; he has clothed me.” Over the centuries, St. Martins Day, in late Autumn, has evolved into a celebration of the harvest. In Portugal, Dia de São Martinho has become a day to celebrate the maturation of the year’s wine production. On this day in many Portuguese communities, a large party is held. A bonfire is built, recently-harvested chestnuts are roasted, and the first wines of the season are tasted. This is celebration festival is known as a magusto (believed to come from the Latin magnus ustus or “great fire”). If you’re in Portugal on November 11, you’ll want to be at a magusto. To find a magusto, check with the information center of your nearby town. Or, many Portuguese restaurants will offer special menus and events. Also, inquire at your local wine merchant who is sure to know where to find the first tastings of this year’s wine production.
As they say in Portugal: É dia de São martinho. Comem-se castanhas; prova-se o vinho! (“It is St. Martin’s Day. We’ll eat chestnuts; we’ll taste the wine.”)
