As the saying goes and the tradition of St. Martin says: “in St. Martin's day, make the magusto and taste your wine.”
But for you who visit Portugal in the time of St. Martin do you know the history and traditions?
The tradition of Saint Martin
It was a stormy day where rain, cold, and wind forced the least fearless to stay tight in the comfort of their home.
Martin, mounted on his horse, faced the weather without fear. He was on his way when he saw a beggar, cold and completely soaked, begging for money by the roadside.
Filled with compassion, the young man got off his horse and, with the help of his sword, cut off his military cloak in half and gave one of the beggar's halves.
Then he mounted his horse and resumed his journey, full of cold but happy.
That was when God decided to thank him by warding off the storm and shining a radiant sun, just as on summer days and the summer of St. Martin.
Saint Martin
November 11 is dedicated to this patron saint of commissioners, who was born in Szombathely in Hungary.
These sunny days, which usually break the gray days of autumn, are called Saint Martin's Summer or Quince Summer because it is the quintessential season for picking quince.
These are days of the popular feast, which celebrates the tradition of St. Martin, which prepares people for the harsh winter ahead.
And as the saying goes: "In St. Martin's day, make the magusto and taste your wine."
The menu and habits of São Martinho
The menu includes roasted chestnuts, and Agua Pé, a light, low-alcohol wine, prepared with water and with the residue or bagasse of grapes.
It also has the tradition of killing the pig and planting the chives.
These are habits that are repeated all over the country with some variants. In Vila do Conde, for example, bread rolls of wheat and nuts keep company with a plate of nuts. In many regions of Minho, the slaughter of the pig is accompanied by a large magusto. And in Soeiro, near Bragança, a procession of men and women goes out to celebrate their patron's day. And, of course, the party is filled with drinks. The traditional Golegã Fair is perhaps the best known and has a long history. Hats, riding apparel, traditional food, and good wine join the inevitable equestrian fairs, contests, games, and exhibitions. If this were not the “mecca” of the Lusitano horse…
St. Martin's Day also serves as a pretext for some wine parties and fairs in the Alentejo and everywhere. They are festivals with chestnuts and wine that promise to liven up the nights.
In #Lisbon, some initiatives always animate the city streets, but the sellers of chestnuts that are everywhere and spread the characteristic smell of roasted chestnuts are the image of these days. Festivities are not lacking in the summer of São Martinho, so be sure to taste the wine and chestnuts and toast the tradition of São Martinho, if you come to #Portugal for a few days.
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