S’ Ardia is one of the most fascinating events in Sardinia. It takes place in Sedilo, a small village of 2000 inhabitants in the province of Oristano. The spectacular race rides around the church of San Costantino to which every year around 100 knights participate. It takes place on the evening of July 6th and is repeated in the morning of July 7th.
THE MEANING OF THE HORSE RACE
In the central square of Sedilo, the pastor officially names the three knights as representatives of the Christianity who will receive the “pandelas”: the three flags (the yellow, the most important one, the red and the white ones)
The head-runner and the two riders will thus have the task of defending the “pandelas” from the other riders who represent paganity.
The crazy race is started – according to the ritual – almost suddenly after reaching the Sanctuary of Santu Antine (San Costantino) from the first pandela, followed by the second, third and three stocks. The three Pandelas represent St. Constantine and his army. Approximately 100 riders participate every year
THE EVENT PROGRAM
THURSDAY 6TH JULY
06h00 and every hour: the holy mass in the Sanctuary
07h30 e 09.30: Holy mass in the church
11h00: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary presided over by the Bishop of Ales-Terralba Mons. Roberto Carboni
16h00, 17h00 e 18h00: the holy mass in the Sanctuary
18h30: At the Sanctuary of San Costantino: beginning of S’ Ardia accompanied by Sedilo riflemen and Monastir musical band.
22h30: In the village main square Regina Margherita in Sedilo “Cordas et Cannas” in concert
FRIDAY 7th JULY
06h00 – 06h45 – 07h30: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary
06h30 – 11h30: Holy mass in the church
07h30: At the Sanctuary of San Costantino: Ardia accompanied by Sedilo rifles and Ales music band. Holy Mass follows in the Sanctuary
18h30: Solemn Vespers and procession of St. Constantine, with the presence of the Bishop of Alghero-Bosa, Mauro Maria Morfino.
22h30: In the village main square Regina Margherita in Sedilo, the band “Marlene Kuntz” in concert
The Province of Oristano
Where to stay
Bosa | Fordongianus | Torre dei Corsari
What to see
Tharros ruins| Lake Omodeo | Beach of Torre Grande | The ghost village of San Salvatore | Waterfalls of Sos Molinos | S’Archittu – the sea arch
How to get to Oristano
By train from Cagliari, Olbia and Sassari there are direct trains to Oristano
Read also: how to get by train in Sardinia
By bus dicrect bus from Alghero, Olbia, Sassari, Nuoro and Cagliari.
Read also: bus connections from north to south
By car: from the main road in Sardinia – the SS 131 Carlo Felice – connecting Oristano to the main cities of the island.
Read also: travelling by car around Sardinia
