San Martino form Tours (Sabaria Sicca, 316 - Candes-Saint-Martin, November 8, 397) was a bishop of the fourth century in Gaul in the late Roman empire. Venerated not only by the Catholic Church, but also by the Orthodox and the Coptic, was among the first saints not martyrs proclaimed by the Catholic Church and one of the great saints of Gaul.
St. Martin's worship is celebrated on November 11, date of his burial, and is widely felt in many countries and in many part of Italy. Just in Italy the days adjacent to the holy feast are called "San Martino's Summer", a time of the year during which the works of the fields were over and the winter had not yet come. Until recently, in agricultural areas, November 11 marked the date of expiry and the beginning of rental or mezzanine contracts. It was therefore unusual to come across wagons that moved from one farm to another by making "San Martino", or "moving". San Martino's day is also symbolically associated with the ripening of the new wine (see the saying "A San Martino every must becomes wine") and then an occasion to have a toast and celebrate. Among the popular proverbs dedicated to November 11 we also find "San Martino's summer is for three days and is just little" and "for Saint Martin the seeding of the poor."
At 1620 years from the burial, the next weekend seems to be an interesting one, and here is a selection of fairs, events, patron saints, festivals and markets not to be missed in the villages during the "San Martino Summer".
Discover all other events in the villages from our Events page.