Happy Valentine’s Day! Did you know this romantic holiday began in Italy? Long before Americans were celebrating Valentine’s Day with heart-shaped chocolates, colorful cards, and Hallmark movie marathons, Italians celebrated La Festa Degli Innamorati in honor of the Roman goddess Juno, goddess of women and marriage. Nowadays, Italians honor the martyred Saint Valentine, who (according to legend) was a priest in 3rd century Rome who married young men and women in secret, after the Roman Emperor Claudius outlawed marriage for young men. Saint Valentine was martyred on February 14, and the old Roman festival for Juno also used to be held on February 14…this is where we get the date for Valentine’s Day.

Heart-shaped lanterns often decorate street lamps throughout Italy on Valentine’s Day

True or just legend, the story of Saint Valentine has made him the patron saint of love, which is why Valentine’s Day is known as the holiday of romance. The holiday is less commercialized that in the United States, as it is mostly only celebrated by couples—there’s no Galentine’s Day or innocent valentines given by school children to their classmates. Many Italian couples get engaged on Valentine’s Day, or say their first “I love you.” But one thing is just like it is in the U.S…chocolate! Chocolate is the most popular gift on Valentine’s Day, whether in the form of biscotti, Baci chocolate candies, or some other sweet treat.

We wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day, or rather, “Buon San Valentino!”