Sardinia Carnival, Italy

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What is the Carnival of Sardinia?

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Carnivals in Sardinia are a tradition that escapes from the normal, they are not typical celebrations or celebrations like the ones we are used to seeing. The island of Sardinia celebrates 4 types of carnivals simultaneously, some of these are the most recognized as the celebrations in Ottana with the presence of the Boes and Medules, the carnivals in Orotelli with the participation of the Thurpos, the tradition of the carnivals in Mamoiada with the Mamuthones and Issohadores and finally the carnivals of Oristano with Su Componidori. We will be talking specifically about the carnivals in Oristano.
The carnivals in Oristano are known as Sartiglia whose origins are thought to come from the word Sortija and is due to the Spanish influence that the island possesses.

Carnivals in Oristano last three days; however, only two days are the most emblematic and their celebrations center around the horse show that has been part of their culture for centuries. The festivities revolve around two guilds in the city, the farmers responsible for the Sunday celebration and the carpenters in charge of the Tuesday celebration. The character Su Componidori is the main figure, which is an androgynous figure and is believed to represent Dionysius. The locality also celebrates the ritual of dressing Su Componidori and finally the Ceremony of La corsa alla stella where su Componidori along with his Second and his Terzo (selected companions of his Componidori) try to thrust their swords into a star-shaped figure while riding horses.

 

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When is the Carnival of Sardinia?

The carnivals take place approximately during February 11 to February 16. The days of greatest excitement are Shrove Sunday and Shrove Tuesday.

 

 

 

History of the Sardinian Carnival

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The Sartiglia is one of the oldest traditions carried out in the Mediterranean area. The name comes from the words ring and luck. Carnivals in Sardinia do not have a definite origin, as some experts think that these ceremonies were brought to the island through the crusades. Other theories point out that the traditions were modified by the Spanish invaders who adapted the celebrations to resemble the horse races that take place in the Iberian Peninsula.

The oldest record of the carnivals of Oristano dates back to 1546. An official document from 1722 states that the Sartiglia was part of the local celebrations related to the wedding of Carlo Emanuele II, however, there is no reliable record or document that can indicate the beginnings of these very particular carnivals.

Where is the Sardinian Carnival

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The carnivals in Sardinia take place in the city of Oristano, located in the northern part of the region.

 

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How the Sardinian Carnival is celebrated

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Carnivals in Sardinia and particularly those of Oristano, are celebrated in a very particular way. First the su Componidori, which is the symbolism of ahuman divinity, is chosen. It is an androgynous personage with both male and female characteristics. Then, the ritual of dressing thehis Componidori in a white shirt with colorful ribbons is celebrated and finally, the mantilla and black hat are put on. Once this ceremony is over, the su Componidori can not touch the ground, so it is carried to the horse loaded directly from the table.

Then begins of La corsa alla stella whose purpose is to pierce a star-shaped figure with a sword. This ritual symbolizes good harvests and prosperity. The event ends with Le Pariglie which is a show of acrobatics on horses.

 

Tips for going to the Sardinian Carnival

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We recommend you to plan your carnival vacation in advance so you can design your itinerary to your liking and your accommodation. We also recommend you to find the best places so you can watch the show from a good location.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend this guide:.

 

Events in Sardinia Carnival

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The most outstanding events is the ritual to dress Su Componidori to start the race. After this takes place the ceremony of the star whose purpose is to achieve nailing the sword in a star-shaped object. Finally, the corrida of the star takes place, in which the riders perform incredible shows in the streets of the city mounted on horseback.

 

 

Sardinia Carnival Parades

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The parade with the greatest importance during the carnivals of Sardinia is undoubtedly la corsa alla stella which is when their Companidori rides on horseback to thrust the sword into a star-shaped figure. The parade takes place in various locations throughout the city.

 

 

Parade route

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The parade or horseback riding takes place in the different points of the city.

 

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What to eat during Carnival in Sardinia

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During carnivals it is common to distributebeans with bacon, or as the locals know it Fave con lardo. It is also consumed frittelle or zippulas which are fried fritters typical of the carnival.

You can also eat in some of the most famous restaurants or local eateries such as Da Renzo, Trattoria Portixedda or Blao Ristorante which offer local, Italian and Mediterranean food.

 

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Travel Insurance

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From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend hiring a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside the Sardinia Carnival

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The activities you can do during the carnivals is to watch the races during the Sartiglia. Once the first ritual concludes, the participants head to another point to watch it again.

You can also take walks around town and find the various local product fairs that correspond to traditional foods or designs of products unique to the locality. In addition, they sell sandwiches, fried food, nuts and sweets.

You can also watch the ritual of dressing and undressing their Componidori which is the figure that takes on the greatest importance during the carnivals. During the celebrations you can notice the strong connection that the locals have with their traditions and culture.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in English in this city:.

 

What to see and do outside the Sardinia Carnival

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If you decide to visit the locality to celebrate the carnival, you can’t miss some of the tourist attractions that the city of Oristano has to offer you.

Antiquarium Arborense

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It is one of the most important museums in the region where you can find a large number of archaeological works dating from different periods. It also contains various works of art with great historical importance. The museum was built in 1938.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta

It is a cathedral that is located in the historic center of the city, specifically in Piazza Duomo. There are records of its existence since 1131 and has undergone various restorations.

Centro Storico

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The historic center of the city is of utmost importance. Here you can find the most representative and important squares of the town, as well as large historic buildings and the different premises of the city.

If you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city, we recommend that you book your entrance ticket in advance through Tiquets: .

 

Safety in Sardinia Carnival

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Sardinia is a peaceful and safe place, in fact, it was attributed as the safest place for tourists in the whole country. The crime rate is low, so you should not have any worries when you come to celebrate the carnival.

As always, we recommend that you keep your valuables in a safe place. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your valuables safe:

 

 

Weather in Sardinia Carnival

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Oristano’s weather hovers between 8 and 14 degrees Celsius with low rainfall so we can assure you that when you go to celebrate the carnivals, it will be good weather to enjoy the parades and events.

 

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How to get to Sardinia Carnival

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How to get there by plane

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The airport is Cagliari Elmas Airport which is located 90 km from the town. From there you can employ the different transports that the city has to offer you.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by train

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You can reach the main train station in the city of Oristano from the Airport.

How to get there by bus

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From Cagliari Elmas Airport you can reach the town of Oristano employing the different lines such as line 8, 3 and 401.

How to arrive by car

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You can depart from Cagliari Elmas Airport by car to reach the locality of Oristano through the E25 highway and its different branches such as Strada Statale 196 or SP35.

 

Where to stay in Sardinia Carnival

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Booking.com

 

Mariano IV Palace Hotel

4-star hotel located 450 meters from the city center. It is a 10-minute walk from the train and bus station. It offers internet connection, bar and restaurant.

Hotel Mistral

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3-star hotel located 650 meters from the city center. It offers comfortable accommodation with free internet access and free parking. All rooms have TV and private bathroom.

Mistral 2 Hotel

4-star hotel located 550 meters from the city center. It offers free wifi, bar and restaurant overlooking the pool. Rooms include air conditioning, TV and private bathroom.

We recommend you use Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.

Booking.com

 

Thank you for reading

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