St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje)

St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje) is a traditional celebration held on 11 November, on the feast day of St. Martin. For many Slovenians, it is an important day and a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and family and enjoy great food and wine. St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje) is also closely connected to the vine, winemaking traditions, and the arrival of autumn.

The Wine Festival

St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje) is a traditional celebration held on the feast day of St. Martin, which in Slovenia is primarily celebrated as a festival of wine. St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje) —when grape must turns into wine—symbolically marks the end of a winegrower’s year-long work. For visitors, it is a true festival experience that brings together tradition, gastronomy, and the distinctive hospitality of Štajerska.

The most popular and largest St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje) in Slovenia takes place in Štajerska, in Maribor. Tens of thousands of visitors fill Maribor’s city centre, enjoying local cuisine, excellent entertainment, and a lively atmosphere that attracts people from near and far.

A key highlight of St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje) is the blessing (or “baptism”) of the must, which becomes wine. This ceremonial moment—often held in a wine cellar or vineyard—includes the first tasting of the new vintage. St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje) is therefore also a celebration of young wine, traditionally enjoyed alongside a classic St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje).

Who is St. Martin?

St. Martin of Tours (c. 315–397), born in the area of present-day Szombathely in Hungary, is one of the most beloved bishops and saints of all time. He is the patron saint of the poor, prisoners, soldiers, winegrowers, innkeepers, and domestic animals.

He was a Roman officer who famously cut his cloak in half with his sword and gave one part to a poor man in need. Later, he became a bishop—legend says he tried to hide to avoid the appointment, but was betrayed by the cackling of geese!

St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje)

Traditionally, the table on St. Martin’s Day celebration (Martinovanje) must be richly laden with delicacies, as our ancestors celebrated it as a kind of thanksgiving for a good harvest.

According to old customs, the feast includes crispy roasted poultry (remember the legend of the noisy geese?), red cabbage, and mlinci (traditional flatbread), all accompanied by a glass of young wine from the new vintage.