The most important feasts and the main traditional events in the north-western Sardinia
The events described above are particularly lively and intense.
For those who have mobility problems the assistance of someone is strongly recommended.
Then there are events created to promote the territories and their vocations, which may offer an insight into the Sardinian gastronomic
traditions and world of concerts (for more information visit
www.sardegnaturismo.it).
Among these are:
The rites of Holy Week in Castelsardo are famous. The most important is Lu Lunissanti, celebrated on saint Monday.
At dawn, in the rural church of Santa Maria di Tergu the Mysteries (i Misteri) are presented.
A long procession walks from the church to the Castle and back. At noon the faithful stop in the fields around the church, creating a festival.
At sunset, returning to Castelsardo, a procession walks from the lower area of the village through the historic center of the Middle Ages.
The streets are lit only by oil lamps: in the church of Santa Maria di Tergu, the singers sing songs of ardent mysticism passion.
In the third Sunday in May, the city of Sassari is the scene of one of the most important folk festivals in Sardinia. Founded in 1899 in honour of Umberto I of Savoy and his wife Margaret, the event has taken on a predominantly tourist character, becoming one of the most important folklore dates in Sardinia. During the show, you can see along the streets of the old town the extraordinary colours of country traditional clothes and jewellery of almost the whole island. The protagonists of this ceremony are the costumes, songs, sounds, dances and the knights with their spectacular stunts.
On August 14 in Sassari the Festha Manna, the "Faradda" - in Sassarese "down" - of Candlesticks (Candelieri) takes place. This is a devotional procession during which nine imposing wooden candles are transported from Piazza Castello to the church of Santa Maria di Betlem, on whose altar they are placed to receive the blessing. The festival was founded as a thanksgiving to the Virgin Assunta for having liberated people from plague. These votive objects are brought through the streets of Sassari by representatives of "Gremi", old corporate-religious associations established in the sixteenth century and real entertainers of the event. The devotional spirit of the festival was maintained over time, preserving the meaning of gratitude to the Virgin but also the propitiatory spirit for the future life.
The Great Feast of Porto Torres is celebrated on the day after Pentecost, in honour of the holy martyrs Gavino, Proto and Gianuario,
protectors of Turris Libisonis, the name of the city in Roman times.
The sacred images of martyrs, according to ancient tradition, are transported from the San Gavino Basilica to the little church perched on the cliff of Balai.
The church stands on a hypogeal communicating with the sea, a cave that - according to tradition - was at first a prison and then the tomb of the three martyrs.
The return to the San Gavino Basilica occurs in the evening of Pentecost.
The "Festival of bogamarì" is a culinary exhibition in which the sea urchin is the star of many dishes, with free tasting for the public.
Sailing event, held in late June, which commemorates the ancient post.
At the beginning of the last century, when Porto Torres, Stintino and the Island of Asinara were united only by sea, the mail was in fact transported by a small sailing boat.
International music festival that draws in the city of Alghero national and foreign artists.
The festival is enriched by numerous events, involving the world of theatre, literature and visual arts.
Sardinia for all - Accessibile tourism
has been partially funded by the E.U. through P.O.R. Sardegna 2000-2006,
Misura 5.2.
