On Karrasecare , the Carnival in Sardinia has many faces: each community celebrates it according to its own codes, vocations and particularities. Traditionally, in January, the fires of Sant’Antonio mark the beginning, the end arrives on Ash Wednesday. These are the first events of the year that animate a people who relive rituals handed down for centuries every winter. Sacred and profane, passion and identity, cadenced rhythms and intoxicating impulses. The traditional masks retrace moments of agro-pastoral life, linked to the climate and the harvest. In the heart of Sardinia, mysterious scenes come to life in many barbaric communities and intense suggestions are released. In Mamoiada the Mamuthones are protagonists, dressed in black sheepskin and with their faces covered with grotesque wooden masks, and at Ottana the Boes and Merdules .
Cagliari (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Carnival in Sardinia especially The Sartiglia di Oristano is famous all over the world, for its race for the star! The city « stops » during the carnival. It is a « religious rite », a religious holiday.
Oristano anxiously awaits the arrival of the carnival: preparation of the horses, election of Su Componidori , of “Su Segundu”, of “Su Terzu”. Dinners, rehearsals, preparation of the city that goes haywire (the main streets are cordoned off, such as via Duomo where the race to the star is held), stages set up for the public, spread the sand for the horse race … all this, and much more is the Sartiglia di Oristano!
A show, an equestrian race that has no equal in the world! Perhaps the only equestrian race that could resemble us is the feast of San Firmino which takes place on June 23 in Ciutadella de Menorca, on the island of Menorca.
Pick up Cagliari-Elmas Airport and transfer to the hotel in Cagliari. Guided tour of the city (historic center, medieval towers, cathedral, Monte Urpinu hill, Bonaria basilica and Molentargius natural park). Lunch break on the Poetto beach. In the afternoon, transfer to Oristano.
Dinner and overnight in Oristano.
Participation in the “Sartiglia” of Oristano (with reserved seat in the numbered grandstand). Of medieval origins, this event has been handed down to the present day, keeping its mysterious charm pure and intact.Free lunch (many exhibitors with typical Sardinian products will participate in the event). Dinner and overnight in Oristano.
Sinis Peninsula and Guided tour of the Punic-Roman city of Tharros.
Walk to the ancient village of San Salvatore (very suggestive place where some western films have been shot). Typical fish-based lunch. In the afternoon, guided tour of the Archaeological Museum in Cabras where we will admire the Giants of Mont’e Prama, one of the oldest statues in the western Mediterranean. Guided tour in the historic center of Oristano, dinner and overnight stay.
Check out of the hotel, departure for Ottana.
Morning: Ottana Carnival (traditional Boes and Merdules masks).
Free lunch (numerous exhibitors of typical sweet and savory products).
Afternoon: Carnival of Mamoiada (traditional masks of Mamuthones and Issohadores). Meeting with the mask maker and guided tour of the Museum of Mediterranean masks. Dinner and overnight stay in Nuoro.
Check out hotel. Guided tour of the nuragic temple Su Tempiesu (Orune). Transfer to Bitti for Tenores concert. The canto a tenore from the center of Sardinia is a highly fascinating vocal style for four voices and a UNESCO heritage site. Lunch at the farmhouse and departure for the airport.
