Italian News Headlines 26-09-2023 - Cosa Nostra mafia boss, Messina Denaro, has died of colon cancer at the age of 62. He was being held in a maximum security prison after 30 years on the run. He was responsible for dozens of murders including those of anti-mafia magistrates, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino --- Giorgio Napolitano, the only Italian President to be elected twice, has died in Rome at the age of 98 --- Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, met with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on the Italian island of Lampedusa to discuss the European refugee crisis after more than 7,000 migrants arrived from Tunisia in a single week --- Venetian authorities vote to introduce 'ticket only' access to the city from 2024 --- A man who posted a video of himself carving his name into the wall of the Colosseum, while his girlfriend watched, has been identified as living in Britain --- Following the death of Silvio Berlusconi, on June 12th, Antonio Tajani will be appointed the new president of Forza Italia --- Silvio Berlusconi, 4 times Italian prime minister, has died at the age of 86 from complications resulting from Leukaemia --- Extreme weather in Emilia-Romagna has led to 14 dead and 35,000 displaced. There are 500 roads closed and over over 300 sites at risk of landslides --- Two new victims of the Vesuvius eruption in 79AD have been discovered during excavations in Pompei
Sartiglia

The Sartiglia

The Sartiglia is a spectacular equestrian event that is said to have its origins in the Middle Ages, when the local population was obliged to raise an army of horsemen to defend their territory from the Spanish invaders. Whatever its true origins, the event has taken place in the town of Oristano, on the west coast of Sardinia, every February or March for 500 years.

Sartiglia
Photo - Archivio Fondazione Sa Sartiglia onlus

During the period of Spanish rule, seven cities in Sardinia were granted Royal Status. These cities were: Cagliari, Sassari, Oristano, Alghero, Iglesias, Castelsardo and Bosa. Among the privileges they enjoyed was that of establishing trade guilds. These once powerful organisations were disbanded in 1864, but continued in a different form, many taking on the responsibility of maintaining the ancient events and traditions of Sardinia.

Two of these guilds maintain the tradition of the Sartiglia in Oristano, the Guild of Farmers and the Guild of Carpenters. On 'Candlemas', February 2nd, the head of each guild appoints a leader for his procession. This leader is called 'Su Componidori'. The guilds hold their events on two different days, the Guild of Farmers on 'Carnival Sunday' (the last Sunday of Carnivale) and the Guild of Carpenters on 'Shrove Tuesday' (Martedi Grasso or Mardi Gras). As with 'Carnivale', the actual dates each year will depend when Easter falls.

Sartiglia
Photo - Archivio Fondazione Sa Sartiglia onlus

A group of local women, dressed in traditional costumes and led by 'Sa Massaia Manna', accompany 'Su Componidori' to a ritualistic dressing ceremony. He is dressed in the colours of his guild, and wears a symbolic mask. The procession then starts with trumpeters and drummers accompanying up to 120 riders, all dressed in traditional costumes and masks, with the bridles and saddles of their horses also brightly decorated. They make their way down to the first part of the event which is a type of jousting competition where riders attempt to run through a target in the shape of a small star, using swords.

Sartiglia
Photo - Archivio Fondazione Sa Sartiglia onlus

These attempts takes place at a full gallop. Apart from 'Su Componidori' and his two companions, other riders are allowed to take part each year at the discretion of 'Su Componidori'. Those riders who successfully retrieve a star are allowed to keep them as a momento.

Sartiglia
Photo - Archivio Fondazione Sa Sartiglia onlus

Once this is over, 'Su Componidori' performs 'Sa Remada', a final gallop down the track that officially closes the joust. The procession then moves on to the 'Pariglie' which is a spectacular show where groups of three expert horsemen perform death-defying, acrobatic displays while galloping down the course.

Sartiglia
Photo - Archivio Fondazione Sa Sartiglia onlus

This event is also rounded off with 'Su Componidori' performing another 'Sa Remada', this time with his two companions, with all three of them galloping down the track at full speed.

Find out more information here: www.sartiglia.info

The Best Italian Handmade Gifts
Direct From Italy

Sartiglia

More Details

Flag of Sardinia
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 24,090 km²
      Population: 1.6 million
      Density: 69/km²
      Capital: Cagliari

      National Parks:
      Archipelago of La Maddalena National Park
      Asinara National Park
      Gennargentu National Park
Location of Sardinia
Provinces of Sardinia
  • Comunes of Sardinia
    • Cagliari
      • Armungia
        Assemini
        Ballao
        Barrali
        Burcei
        Cagliari
        Capoterra
        Castiadas
        Decimomannu
        Decimoputzu
        Dolianova
        Domus De Maria
        Donori
        Elmas
        Escalaplano
        Escolca
        Esterzili
        Gergei
        Gesico
        Goni
        Guamaggiore
        Guasila
        Isili
        Mandas
        Maracalagonis
        Monastir
        Monserrato
        Muravera
        Nuragus
        Nurallao
        Nuraminis
        Nurri
        Orroli
        Ortacesus
        Pimentel
        Pula
        Quartu Sant’Elena
        Quartucciu
        Sadali
        Samatzai
        San Basilio
        San Nicolò Gerrei
        San Sperate
        San Vito
        Sant’Andrea Frius
        Sarroch
        Selargius
        Selegas
        Senorbì
        Serdiana
        Serri
        Sestu
        Settimo San Pietro
        Seulo
        Siliqua
        Silius
        Sinnai
        Siurgus Donigala
        Soleminis
        Suelli
        Teulada
        Ussana
        Uta
        Vallermosa
        Villa San Pietro
        Villanova Tulo
        Villaputzu
        Villasalto
        Villasimius
        Villasor
        Villaspeciosa

    • Carbonia-Iglesias
      • Buggerru
        Calasetta
        Carbonia
        Carloforte
        Domusnovas
        Fluminimaggiore
        Giba
        Gonnesa
        Iglesias
        Masainas
        Musei
        Narcao
        Nuxis
        Perdaxius
        Piscinas
        Portoscuso
        San Giovanni Suergiu
        Santadi
        Sant’Anna Arresi
        Sant’Antioco
        Tratalias
        Villamassargia
        Villaperuccio

    • Medio Campidano
      • Arbus
        Barumini
        Collinas
        Furtei
        Genuri
        Gesturi
        Gonnosfanadiga
        Guspini
        Las Plassas
        Lunamatrona
        Pabillonis
        Pauli Arbarei
        Samassi
        San Gavino Monreale
        Sanluri
        Sardara
        Segariu
        Serramanna
        Serrenti
        Setzu
        Siddi
        Tuili
        Turri
        Ussaramanna
        Villacidro
        Villamar
        Villanovaforru
        Villanovafranca

    • Nuoro
      • Aritzo
        Atzara
        Austis
        Belvì
        Birori
        Bitti
        Bolotana
        Borore
        Bortigali
        Desulo
        Dorgali
        Dualchi
        Fonni
        Gadoni
        Galtellì
        Gavoi
        Irgoli
        Lei
        Loculi
        Lodè
        Lodine
        Lula
        Macomer
        Mamoiada
        Meana Sardo
        Noragugume
        Nuoro
        Oliena
        Ollolai
        Olzai
        Onanì
        Onifai
        Oniferi
        Orani
        Orgosolo
        Orosei
        Orotelli
        Ortueri
        Orune
        Osidda
        Ottana
        Ovodda
        Posada
        Sarule
        Silanus
        Sindia
        Siniscola
        Sorgono
        Teti
        Tiana
        Tonara
        Torpè

    • Ogliastra
      • Arzana
        Bari Sardo
        Baunei
        Cardedu
        Elini
        Gairo
        Girasole
        Ilbono
        Jerzu
        Lanusei
        Loceri
        Lotzorai
        Osini
        Perdasdefogu
        Seui
        Talana
        Tertenia
        Tortolì
        Triei
        Ulassai
        Urzulei
        Ussassai
        Villagrande Strisaili

    • Olbia-Tempio
      • Aggius
        Aglientu
        Alà dei Sardi
        Arzachena
        Badesi
        Berchidda
        Bortigiadas
        Buddusò
        Budoni
        Calangianus
        Golfo Aranci
        La Maddalena
        Loiri Porto San Paolo
        Luogosanto
        Luras
        Monti
        Olbia
        Oschiri
        Padru
        Palau
        San Teodoro
        Santa Teresa Gallura
        Sant’Antonio di Gallura
        Telti
        Tempio Pausania
        Trinità d’Agultu e Vignola

    • Oristano
      • Abbasanta
        Aidomaggiore
        Albagiara
        Ales
        Allai
        Arborea
        Ardauli
        Assolo
        Asuni
        Baradili
        Baratili San Pietro
        Baressa
        Bauladu
        Bidonì
        Bonarcado
        Boroneddu
        Bosa
        Busachi
        Cabras
        Cuglieri
        Curcuris
        Flussio
        Fordongianus
        Genoni
        Ghilarza
        Gonnoscodina
        Gonnosnò
        Gonnostramatza
        Laconi
        Magomadas
        Marrubiu
        Masullas
        Milis
        Modolo
        Mogorella
        Mogoro
        Montresta
        Morgongiori
        Narbolia
        Neoneli
        Norbello
        Nughedu Santa Vittoria
        Nurachi
        Nureci
        Ollastra
        Oristano
        Palmas Arborea
        Pau
        Paulilatino
        Pompu
        Riola Sardo
        Ruinas
        Sagama
        Samugheo
        San Nicolò d’Arcidano
        San Vero Milis
        Santa Giusta
        Santu Lussurgiu
        Scano di Montiferro
        Sedilo
        Seneghe
        Senis
        Sennariolo
        Siamaggiore
        Siamanna
        Siapiccia
        Simala
        Simaxis
        Sini
        Siris
        Soddì
        Solarussa
        Sorradile
        Suni
        Tadasuni
        Terralba
        Tinnura
        Tramatza
        Tresnuraghes
        Ulà Tirso
        Uras
        Usellus
        Villa Sant’Antonio
        Villa Verde
        Villanova Truschedu
        Villaurbana
        Zeddiani
        Zerfaliu

    • Sassari
      • Alghero
        Anela
        Ardara
        Banari
        Benetutti
        Bessude
        Bonnanaro
        Bono
        Bonorva
        Borutta
        Bottidda
        Bultei
        Bulzi
        Burgos
        Cargeghe
        Castelsardo
        Cheremule
        Chiaramonti
        Codrongianos
        Cossoine
        Erula
        Esporlatu
        Florinas
        Giave
        Illorai
        Ittireddu
        Ittiri
        Laerru
        Mara
        Martis
        Monteleone Rocca Doria
        Mores
        Muros
        Nughedu San Nicolò
        Nule
        Nulvi
        Olmedo
        Osilo
        Ossi
        Ozieri
        Padria
        Pattada
        Perfugas
        Ploaghe
        Porto Torres
        Pozzomaggiore
        Putifigari
        Romana
        Santa Maria Coghinas
        Sassari
        Sedini
        Semestene
        Sennori
        Siligo
        Sorso
        Stintino
        Tergu
        Thiesi
        Tissi
        Torralba
        Tula
        Uri
        Usini
        Valledoria
        Viddalba
        Villanova Monteleone

Hotels in Sardinia
SardiniaWEATHER
Sardinia Climate (Cagliari)
  High Low Sun Rain
Jan 9 2 3 55
Feb 11 3 4 53
Mar 13 4 5 63
Apr 17 7 6 55
May 21 11 8 35
Jun 25 15 9 44
Jul 28 17 10 34
Aug 28 17 9 54
Sep 25 14 7 61
Oct 20 11 6 74
Nov 15 8 4 71
Dec 12 3 3 77
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
Other pages you might like
Made in Italy
Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive our free newsletter, 'I Love Italy'. It provides a captivating glimpse into the allure of 'The Bel Paese', containing extracts from our most recent articles, a window on Italian news, fashion, music and culture, useful information for visiting and living in Italy as well as our latest, delicious Italian recipes.

Subscribers are also entitled to a 10% discount on purchases from our sister-site, Italy Gifts Direct.

We will not use your email address for any other purpose or pass it on to any other organisation and you can unsubscribe from this service at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.