The Chapel dedicated to San Martino and frescoed by Simone Martini in the 14th-century is certainly one of the masterpieces in our Basilica di San Francesco. St. Martin of Tours, 4th-century saint, is pictured as he gives his cloak to a freezing beggar outside the walls of Amiens. According to legend, the beggar will reveal himself as Christ. The association is there: St. Martin, the bringer of warmth.
In Italy, in fact, a spell of warm weather following the first freeze is called “l’estate di San Martino” (the summer of St. Martin”, i.e., the “Indian summer” in Anglo-Saxon cultures). Due to an inordinately warm fall this year, la Festa di San Martino, November 11th, was warm and sunny but did not fall during un’estate di San Martino: we haven’t yet had the first freeze.
In rural cultures, the mezzadria (share-cropping) contracts were stipulated during this period, with termination of some contracts and the renewal of others. At this time, farm families might move into a farmhouse on another farm; in fact, “fare San Martino” means “to make a move”. An old Italian proverb announces the Saint’s feast day as the time to slaughter the pig and enjoy wine, “San Martino, uccidi il maiale e bevi il vino“. That might have been possible years ago – when November brought the cold weather needed for the curing of prosciutto.
A Piedmontese saying, “Oche, castagne e vino, tieni tutto per San Martino.” (“Geese, chestnuts and wine, save it all for San Martino”) refers to the period before Advent when farm families indulged in abundant meals before the “lean” period prior to Christmas. And legend says that when St. Martin was elected bishop of Tours, he hid in the countryside, preferring the contemplative life. A flock of screeching migrating geese revealed his hiding place. Wine consistently stars in the many sayings of this feast day. “Chi vuol far buon vino, zappi e poti a San Martino” (“For a good wine, hoe and prune at San Martino”); that is, the vines should be pruned after the grapes are picked and before new growth.
(Note on celebrating San Martino coming next…)
Story on San Martino full of intresting usable bits of knowledge and the common use Italian phrases that are useful to know. Enjoyed this!
Good article, and wonderful photos. Thanks.