November 11th

The tradition of celebrating Saint Martin (Samartín) in Venice dates back to many centuries ago, starting with the foundation of the church dedicated to him in 1540, and then continuing to the present day, becoming a festivity very much felt by the Venetians.

Where does the Saint Martin's day come from?

Martin of Tours was a knight who, during a cold, windy and rainy day, covered with his large cloak, met a poor old man covered with only a few rags and shivering with cold.
Martin, taken with compassion, took his heavy cloak and with the sword divided it in two, giving half to the old man.

On Saint Martin's day, Venetian children wander around the shops of the city with a crown on their heads and cloaks on their shoulders, asking for pennies or sweets from the traders, banging together pots, lids and ladles (in fact it is said "bater el samartin") singing the traditional song.

With the money earned, children can buy the typical sweet of San Martino: horse and rider in shortcrus pastry decorated with icing and sweets: chocolates, candies, peanuts, chocolate money and the typical silver "smashing" balls.

 

"Da San Martin, l'inverno xè in camin"

IT: A San Martino, l'inverno è in arrivo
EN: At San Martino, winter is coming

(Venetian proverb)