How Valentine’s Day is Celebrated in Portugal

Valentine’s Day, also known as Dia de São Valentim or Dia dos Namorados, is a special day for lovers in Portugal. It is celebrated on February 14th, the same date as in many other countries around the world.

But what are the origins and traditions of this romantic holiday in Portugal? Let’s find out.

The Legend of Saint Valentine

The most popular story behind Valentine’s Day is related to a Christian priest named Valentine, who lived in the third century in Rome. According to the legend, Emperor Claudius II banned marriages, because he believed that single men made better soldiers. Valentine, however, defied the emperor’s order and secretly married couples who wanted to express their love. He was eventually discovered, arrested, and sentenced to death.

While he was in prison, he received flowers and letters from people who admired his courage and faith. He also fell in love with the jailer’s daughter, who was blind. He miraculously restored her sight and wrote her a farewell letter before his execution, signing it as “your Valentine”. He died on February 14th, 270, and became the patron saint of lovers.

The Celebration of Love

In Portugal, Valentine’s Day is a relatively recent phenomenon, as it was not widely celebrated until the late 20th century. However, it has become very popular among young and old couples, who exchange gifts, cards, and flowers to show their affection. Some of the most common gifts are chocolates, teddy bears, jewelry, and perfume. Red roses are also a symbol of love and passion, and many florists offer special bouquets and arrangements for this occasion.

Another tradition is to go out for a romantic dinner at a nice restaurant, or to cook a special meal at home. Some couples also choose to spend a night at a hotel, or to take a short trip to a scenic destination. There are many options for romantic getaways in Portugal, such as Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Coimbra, or the Algarve.

The Cantarinha dos Namorados

One of the most unique and charming traditions of Valentine’s Day in Portugal is the Cantarinha dos Namorados, which originates from the city of Guimarães, in the north of the country. The Cantarinha dos Namorados is a small clay pot, decorated with colorful motifs and messages of love. It is usually offered by a young man to his girlfriend, as a way of proposing marriage or expressing his feelings.

The pot has two handles, one representing the man and the other the woman. The decoration includes hearts, flowers, animals, and words such as “love”, “faith”, “hope”, and “loyalty”. The messages are often written in rhyme, and sometimes include humorous or ironic remarks. The pot is also filled with candies or other treats, as a sweet surprise for the recipient.

The Cantarinha dos Namorados is a traditional craft that dates back to the 19th century, and is still produced by local artisans today. It is considered a symbol of the culture and identity of Guimarães, and a beautiful example of the Portuguese art of love.

Love is definitely in the air all over the country and we loved learning the origins of it in the country of our family roots.

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

~ Momma Braga