The eleventh of November belongs to Saint Martin in Croatia – the patron saint of winemakers, vineyards and, according to legend, geese. On this day, according to old tradition, young must is symbolically “baptised” and becomes real wine. If you are planning a holiday in Pirovac at this time of year, Martinje offers a unique chance to get to know authentic Croatian culture outside the tourist season.
Where the tradition comes from
Saint Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier who later became a bishop in France. According to legend, he became famous for sharing his cloak with a freezing beggar, and when he was meant to become a bishop, he hid among the geese out of modesty – but their honking gave him away. That is why roast goose is traditionally prepared at Martinje. The day of his death, 11 November, gradually merged with an older custom of celebrating the end of the farming year and the turning of young wine.
Martinje in Dalmatia
While in inland Croatia Martinje is mainly associated with the ceremonial “baptism” of must, in Dalmatia the holiday has a slightly different character – Saint Martin is seen here more as a giver and protector of the needy. Even so, the celebration of Saint Martin has its place in Šibenik, Zadar and their surroundings, as well as on Korčula, Šolta and the Makarska coast, where carol-singing and family customs linked to this day have been preserved.
Wine tasting in Šibenik-Knin County
Martinje is also linked with wine tasting in Šibenik-Knin County. The County Tourist Board organises the Open Wine Cellars Days (Dani otvorenih kušaonica), an eno-gastro event at which wineries open their tasting rooms to visitors. The autumn edition, which was held in the past on the occasion of Saint Martin’s Day (11–13 November), brought together wineries from Primošten and Šibenik through Vodice and Skradin to Oklaj, Knin and Kijevo.
In 2026 the event took place in spring, on 9 and 10 May. Whether the autumn edition will be repeated this year has not yet been confirmed, so please check the latest information on the website of the Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board. Among the wineries in the area is the well-known Testament winery near Šibenik (about 25–30 km from Pirovac). So this is not an event in Pirovac itself, but a trip to the wider region that is easy to manage in a day.
Why enjoy Martinje on holiday
For guests who come to Pirovac outside the main season, Martinje is a pleasant way to experience the true atmosphere of Dalmatia – good wine, traditional food and the hospitality of the locals. If you are looking for accommodation with a sea view at this time of year, the Vila Bonaca apartments are an ideal base for a one-day wine trip to the surrounding wineries.
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