Martinmas, the feast of St. Martin of Tours is traditionally celebrated on November 11. St. Martin was a Roman Catholic saint, the bishop of Tours, who lived in the years 316 – 397.
The most- repeated story about his life says that while he was a soldier, he encountered a scantily dressed beggar at the gate of the city of Amiens. He cut his military woolen cloak in half and shared it with the freezing man.
The following night he had a vision of Jesus Christ, surrounded by Angels, and arrayed in the half of the cloak. As a consequence of the experience, he received baptism, left the army and became a monk.
People in the Czech republic associate the feast with the onset of winter and snow. There are a lot of proverbs in Czech, which feature predictions for the winter weather. According to the most popular saying, the first snowfall of the season can be expected on this day since Martin may arrive on his white horse.
St. Martin´s celebrations are particularly popular with children, who create colourful handmade lanterns. After darkness falls, kids participate in lantern processions and sing songs. The candles in the lanterns flicker and the kid´s eyes are brimming with excitement. The parades are organized in many Prague quarters and locations including Riegrovy sady and Vyšehrad fortress.
In Prague, it is customary to drink young wine called St. Martin´s wine (Svatomartinské). The Prague Botanic garden annually offers the tasting of young wine from St. Claire’s vineyard.
Lively celebrations take place on the Vltava river bank, in Náplavka, and include music, traditional culinary delights, fantastic wine and breathtaking views of the city.
St. Martin Wine & Food Festival
12. 11. 2022 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
You will have a unique opportunity to enjoy a Saturday afternoon with the best St. Martin’s wines of this year from leading Czech and Moravian wineries, just a short walk from the Malostranská tram/metro stop.
Together with the young wines, you can taste St. Martin’s gastronomic delicacies. There will also be good music and a heated tent for tasting the wines in warm.
St. Martin’s Celebrations at Jiriho z Podebrad square
12. 11. 2022 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jiriho z Podebrad square, Prague 3
Saint Martin Celebrations at Jiriho z Podebrad square will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winemakers will present young domestic wines and chefs will serve traditional roast goose as well as a wide selection of goose specialties. The celebrations include live music and a fun program for children – creative workshops and theater performances throughout the day. Free entry.
Letná goose and tasting of St. Martin’s wine
12. 11. 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
National Museum of Agriculture
The National Museum of Agriculture will host St. Martin´s celebrations. Tasting of St. Martin’s and young wines of leading Moravian and Czech producers and various gastronomic specialties will be available. Program for families with children.
St. Martin’s festivities and roast goose at the Rasinovo nabrezi farmers market
11. 11. 2022 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Farmers’ Market, Rašínovo nábřeží, Prague 1
The Archetype Association organizes St. Martin’s festivities on Vltava riverfront, where visitors can taste St. Martin’s wine, goose with cabbage and dumplings and other goose delicacies. Free entry.
St. Martin’s Day Festivities and Roast goose at the Kubáň Farmers market
12. 11. 2022 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kubáň Farmers’ Market, Kubánské náměstí, Prague 10
The organiser of farmer’s market at naplavka, the Archetype Association, invites visitors to celebrate the feast of St. Martina and taste St. Martin’s wines from Moravia and Bohemia. In addition, to live music and a rich selection of St. Martin’s wines, visitors can enjoy goose delicacies such as traditional roast goose with dumplings and red cabbage, goose burger, ragout or roasted goose liver.
Free entry.
Saint Martin’s celebrations
12.11.2022 from 12:00-16:30
Archeopark Liboc, V Domcích 29, Prague 6
The St. Martin’s celebrations in the Liboc Archeological Park include a performance of the Xth Legion of the Roman Army, the traditional St. Martin’s goose and refreshments as well as the demonstrations of historical weapons… At the same time, you have the last chance to visit the exhibition “Marcus Aurelius”.
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