The La Verneda neighbourhood is located in the original nucleus of the ancient village of Sant Martí de Provençals, which dates from the 11^th century. Following the Nova Planta decree, the Sant Martí church separated from Santa Maria del Mar and, when it became a parish, the area became a village in its own right. Up until the 1950s, it was a rural neighbourhood, with farm houses and arable fields. But from then on it began to transform as a result of various town planning initiatives.

The coordinator of Entitats Vern is responsible for organising the festival, which is celebrated in honour of Sant Martí. Over two weekends at the beginning of November, a whole host of sporting, cultural and recreational activities take place. Popular and traditional culture highlights include the cercavila gegantera, or the giants' procession, the human tower displays of the Castellers de Barcelona, the morning of the festa major, the main festival, and the final singing of Havaneres, the cantada d’havaneres.

Reason

Sant Martí is the patron saint of the La Verneda festivals because of the link with the parish church of Sant Martí de Provençals. The building dates from the 11^th century, a time when it was very typical to consecrate churches to Sant Martí de Tours (Saint Martin of Tours), one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages in Europe.