Experience S’Ardia 2025: Sardinia’s oldest horseback festival

12 Jun 2025 Sardinia Tourism @bluAlghero-Sardinia

The Ardia of Sedilo is one of the most spectacular and evocative festivals in all of Sardinia.

In Sedilo, a small village in Sardinia, S’Ardia is the most important moment of the year for the entire community. This legendary horse race is a highly anticipated event filled with faith and tradition, eagerly awaited by riders who wait years for the honor of becoming the lead rider “Sa Prima Pandèla.” Three riders compete against a hundred, representing the battle between St. Constantine and Maxentius, or between Christianity and paganism.

For the inhabitants of Sedilo, S’Ardia is not just tradition, spirit, and courage, but a fundamental part of their lives. An event in Sardinia truly not to be missed!

The race takes place every year on the evening of July 6th and repeats on the morning of July 7th

THE FESTIVAL – THE MEANING OF ARDIA DI SEDILO

In the central square of the village, the parish priest officially names the three riders as representatives of Christianity. They will receive the “pandelas” which are the three small flags of different colors (the yellow one, the most important, the red, and the white). The lead rider and the two riders will have the important task of defending the “pandelas” from the attacks of the other riders who represent paganism.

This wild horse race starts almost suddenly once the Sanctuary of Santu Antine (Sanctuary of St. Constantine) is reached. The first pandela starts, followed by the second, and finally the third, followed by the three escorts.

What does it represent? The three Pandele represent St. Constantine and his army of almost 100 horsemen.

THE PROGRAM OF THE FEAST ARDIA OF SEDILO 2025

The Ardia has been held for over two centuries and represents one of the most important events in Sardinia. You won’t remain indifferent to the spirit of this wild race which every year brings together hundreds of people in a celebration of faith and courage. In full Sardinian spirit!

The most important dates are July 6 and 7, when the official race takes place. However, the program lasts several days with many interesting events and manifestations. A great opportunity to explore and discover this area of Sardinia, which is still little known but beautiful.

Date	Time	Event
Saturday, June 21	10:00	Sa Prima Ighina, Book Fair and Feast of St. Constantine
Sunday, June 29	19:00	Ardia Rehearsals
	21:00	Live music at the Sanctuary
Saturday, July 5	22:00	Ballade ballade bois concert at the Sanctuary
Sunday, July 6	19:00	ARDIA (horse race) – with Sedilo riflemen and Monastir band
	22:30	Concert in Pasquale Cocco Square: ASKRA
Monday, July 7	08:00	ARDIA (horse race) – with Sedilo riflemen and Ales band
	22:00	Concert in Pasquale Cocco Square: LUDWIG & DJ MATRIX
Friday, July 13	21:00	History of the Ardia of Sedilo – Pasquale Cocco Square
Friday, July 18	21:00	San Giacomo churchyard: Sardinian poetry with P. S. Pillonca
	22:30	Poetry contest: Agus vs Bitti with Sedilo tenores
Saturday, July 19	18:00	Equestrian acrobatics at the Riding Field
	22:00	Pasquale Cocco Square: BENITO URGU & COLLAGE
Sunday, July 20	08:00	ARDIA ON FOOT – with Sedilo riflemen and Monastir band
	22:30	Pasquale Cocco Square: Maria Luisa Congiu in concert

JULY 6

06:00 AM and then every hour: Masses in the Sanctuary
07:30 AM and 09:30 AM: Holy Mass in the parish
11:00 AM: Solemn Holy Mass in the Sanctuary
4:00 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary
6:30 PM: in Piazza S.Giovanni, delivery of Sas Pandelas

7:00 PM: At the Sanctuary of San Costantino: ARDIA accompanied by the gunmen of Sedilo and the Monastir band.

10:30 PM: Concert by the Sardinian group “ASKRA”

JULY 7

7:00 PM: At the Sanctuary of San Costantino: ARDIA accompanied by the gunmen of Sedilo

10:00 PM: Concert of Ludwig & DJ MATRIX

The Province of Oristano: What to See

The main places to visit in the area of Oristano and surroundings.

Tharros
Lake Omodeo
Torre Grande Beach
Village of San Salvatore
Sos Molinos Waterfalls
S’Archittu

Where to Stay in Oristano – FIND OFFERS

Booking.com

How to Get to Sedilo

The best way to reach Sedilo is by car. The closest major cities are Oristano, about 47 km away, and Nuoro, about 48 km away. By car: to reach Sedilo, take the SS 131 dcn. Also read: traveling by car from north to south of Sardinia

How to reach Sedilo from the main cities of Sardinia? Rent a car here, prices from 34€!

From Cagliari (Airport or City Center)

By car

Take the SS131 (Carlo Felice) towards Oristano/Sassari.
Continue on SS131 for about 120 km until the Abbasanta exit.
From Abbasanta, follow the signs for Sedilo on SS131 dcn.
The car journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

By bus

You can take a bus to Oristano and then a local bus to Sedilo. Check schedules and connections on public transport sites ARST.

From Olbia (Airport or City Center)

By car

Take the SS597 towards Sassari.
Continue on SS131 dcn towards Nuoro/Oristano.
Follow the signs for Sedilo.
The car journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

By bus

Take a bus to Nuoro and then a bus to Sedilo. Check schedules on ARST.

From Alghero (Airport or City Center)

By car

Take SP42 towards Sassari.
Continue on SS131 towards Oristano/Cagliari.
Take the exit for Abbasanta and follow the signs for Sedilo.
The car journey takes about 2 hours.

By bus

Take a bus to Sassari and then another to Sedilo, checking schedules and connections on ARST.

For specific bus schedules and connections, consult the ARST website or other public transportation services in Sardinia. By bus, you can reach Oristano and Nuoro with direct lines from Alghero, Olbia, Sassari, and Cagliari. Also read: bus connections in Sardinia

By train: you can reach Oristano from Cagliari, Olbia, and Sassari with direct trains. Also read: how to get around by train in Sardinia