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 | The Ardia of Sedilo is one of the most picturesque and fascinating events in Sardinia. On the 6th and 7th of July a whole community gets together to celebrate, with a reckless horse-race around the Church of San Costantino (in Sardinian, Santu Antinu).
Thousands of tourists are captured by the charm of this event, thanks also to the beauty of Costantino' sanctuary, which dates back to the Sixteenth century and is surrounded by nuraghic sculptures.
S'Ardia ( from the latin word “bardiare”, which means “to guard”) celebrates the memory of the Battle of Ponte Milvio (Milvio Bridge) in 312 A.D., won by Costantino against Massenzio. A historic battle, that represents the victory of Christianity over Paganism.
Few months before July the parish priest of Sedilo has to name the chief racer (the first “pandela”), picked up from a register that follows a rigorously chronological order.
The Feast in July is made up of two phases: at first the celebrations take place in the main square of Sedilo, where the parish priest officially appoints the three riders that will receive the “pandelas”: the small flags (one is yellow, the most important, one is red and the other is white) that will turn them into representatives of Christianity.
The three riders, together with the escorts (sas iscortas) will have the task to defend the “pandelas”. That's how the second phase of the rite begins, when the riders head towards Su Fortigheddu: the promontory that overlooks the entrance arch of the sanctuary. After receiving the parish priest's blessing, the beautiful and mad race begins around the sanctuary of Santu Antinu.
According to the rite the first “pandela” has to start running all of a sudden, followed by the second and third “pandela” (sa segunda e sa terza pandela). The two riders, helped by the escorts, will have to prevent the other riders taking part in the race and representing Paganism from passing the chief racer.
Information
www.santuantine.it |
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