Festivals and events

Cagliari still features several events of his popular culture, mostly related to religious, as in the case of the holy week preceding Easter Sunday. But the festival more felt by Cagliari is certainly one that is celebrated in honor of St. Efisio, the patron saint of the city.

Feast of Saint Cagliari

The Feast of Saint, held from 1 to May 4, is the most important religious feast of Cagliari and the whole of Sardinia. It was established in 1657 after the terrible wave of plague that upset the city of Cagliari. Cagliari I invoke the help of the Holy promising in return a solemn feast to be celebrated once a year, the epidemic ceased as by a miracle, and since then city organizes the Festival of 1st May to thank and honor its patron.

The ceremony begins with the investiture of the statue of the saint in his church Stampace. From here the procession, which is open from traccas wagons drawn by oxen and decorated infiorata from the surrounding countries, followed by the big parade in traditional costume of the representatives of many countries in Sardinia. With them also militia parade on horseback, the players launeddas, members of 'Arciconfraternita that have effected the dressing of the statue of the saint, el'Alternos, representative of Civil Aviation, also on horseback and accompanied by Mazzieri in full dress. Closes the parade the golden chariot bearing the statue of the saint, who, after having walked the streets of the old quarters of the Navy and Stampace, Nora comes to the places of martyrdom of the saint, and stops in the temple by the sea. Four May the saint's statue returns to the church of Saint Stampace, and a solemn Mass closes the event.

The rites of Holy Week in Cagliari

The Friday before Palm Sunday there is the procession of the Mysteries (Is Misterius). Announced by a roller drum, a procession formed by the members dell'arciconfraternita of the Crucified One, the religious institution founded in 1616, leaving from Piazza San Giacomo to go to seven churches in the historic center, representing the seven stations of the Via Crucis, in every stage of the procession is left a statue depicting a moment Passion.

On Friday, around 13, part of the church of St. John the procession of the Dead Christ, led by members dell'arciconfraternita of Solitude, which was established in 1608. Roller drums, music, parade of banners and crosses, accompanying the crucifix surmounted by a white canopy. Preceded by two figures of children, which symbolize St. John and Mary Magdalene, also parade the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, dressed in black, with his head bandaged in white, topped by a crown of silver and the swords of the seven planted chest pain . The statue of Christ, placed in a litter covered with veils and lace, will return to the church of St. John the next day.

Easter Sunday at 11, takes place At the ceremony of incontru, the meeting between the statue of the Risen Christ and the Madonna. The clothing of the two images symbolizing the Resurrection occurred: Christ parade with a band and red and gold halo on her head, the Madonna with a white dress garnished gold, blue cloak, lace veil, crown on his head and bouquet of flowers in his hands. The ceremony, beginning at St. James Square, culminating in via Garibaldi, one-of-sight, the images are greeted with a triple bow, then start side by side to the church of San Giacomo, hence, the following Sunday, will reach near the oratory of the Crucifix which are usually kept.

Easter Monday parade in procession the statue of Saint, with the red cloak, armor and feathers ostrich sull'elmo, to celebrate the grace granted to the city of Cagliari when placed under the siege guns of the French ships in 1793: the saint had miraculously stopped the most dangerous projectiles, and made up the strong winds that drove the fleet enemy to sfracellarsi on the rocks. Early morning, the march organized dall'arciconfraternita Gonfalone part of the church of Saint Stampace and is heading towards cathedral. The rite was born as a prologue to the festival in May dedicated to the martyr, in fact, concludes the Lenten ceremonies.