St. Valentine's Day 2024
St. Valentine's Day 2024 Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash

The countdown is on for Valentine's day 2024, celebrated all over the world on 14th February, and we're getting in the mood for the most romantic day of the year. 

Is Valentine's day celebrated in Europe? Most definitely, and this special day actually has its roots in the era of ancient Rome, when during the celebrations in honour of the fertility god Luperco, there were excesses and transgressions. To put an end to all of this, in 496 AD, Pope Gelasius instituted the celebrations for Valentine's Day.

Tradition states that Valentine was a Christian bishop who died for refusing to convert to paganism. Legend has it that during his imprisonment Valentine, fell in love with the blind daughter of a prison keeper who, thanks to the Saint's prayers, regained his sight: the last message addressed to his beloved contained the words "From your Valentine".

Italian Valentine's Day certainly has a strong history, and each country has its own customs and traditions. Let's find out in more detail how Valentine's Day is celebrated in Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Valentine's Day in Italy

Valentine's Day
Jessica Johnston on Unsplash

In Italy this day, known in Italian as San Valentino, is called the festa degli innamorati, the day of lovers. In Italy however, the romantic vision of the holiday is gradually being lost, turning the celebration into a real commercial business.

How do they celebrate Valentine's day in Italy? Italian Valentine's Day now diverges significantly from its traditional roots, adopting a more contemporary approach to celebrating love. While candlelit dinners and small tokens of affection remain popular, the quintessential gift in Italy continues to be flowers. On February 14th, florists typically experience a doubling of business compared to a regular Saturday, the busiest day of the week for flower sales.

And if you want to impress your partner with some romantic Italian this year, then you'll need to know how to say "Happy Valentine's Day" in Italian: "Buon San Valentino"!

Valentine's Day in Spain

St George's Day in Barcelona known as Sant Jordi
St George's Day in Barcelona known as Sant Jordi Pixabay

In Spain, Valentine's Day traditions are very similar to those in Italy and much of the western world with love letters, flowers and romantic dinners

However, Catalonia stands out with its unique tradition. In this Spanish region, a version of Valentine's Day is observed on April 23rd. Dating back to 1094, Catalonia, with Barcelona as its capital, celebrates Sant Jordi (St. George's Day). Legend has it that Sant Jordi rescued a princess from a dragon's clutches by slaying the creature, and from its blood, a rose blossomed.

Hence, in Catalan culture, men present roses to women on this day, reciprocated by women gifting men books. This date also marks the celebration of World Book Day, as decided by UNESCO in 1995.

Valentine's Day in Portugal

In Portugal you can find a truly romantic tradition: Lenços de Namorados, in English the 'Lovers' handkerchief'.

AT Porto and the North
AT Porto and the North

This is a tradition that dates back to the 17th century, where a handkerchief, usually made of linen or cotton was embroidered by hand with romantic patterns. It is a type of typical women's clothing of the northern region of Minho and was used by girls deemed to be of a marriageable age. Tradition has it that the girl in love embroidered her handkerchief and gave it to her lover when he was absent. The beloved, if he loved the girl too, had to wear the handkerchief in public to declare the beginning of the relationship. If the man did not use it, it was a sign that he did not want to start a relationship with the girl.