L'Àrdia

Àrdia is a ritual horse race held in honor of a saint. The best known is the one that takes place on 6 and 7 July at the sanctuary not far from Sedilo dedicated to the emperor Constantine. Constantine, who encouraged the spread of Christianity, was not canonized by the Catholic Church, while the Orthodox Church and the Eastern rite venerate him as a saint.

Even in Sardinia, which was part of the Byzantine Empire for centuries, it is considered as such and is invoked locally as Santu Antine/Santu Antinu.

The equestrian race dedicated to Sedilo at Santu Antinu refers to the battle of the year 312, in which, by winning the Milvian Bridge against the pagan Maxentius, he was able to proclaim himself Christian emperor. In Ardia, the Christian forces, represented by the three pandhelas ('banners') and their related escorts (is), must defend themselves against the pagan ones, that is, from all the other knights.

The race leader, who is called Pandhela Mazore, appoints the second and third pandhela, his collaborators, and they will each create an escort who, with spears and banners, will have to defend the first position of the three pandhelas, preventing anyone from exceeding them. Otherwise, it would be like going against the course of history, allowing Maxentius to win instead of Constantine represented by the three pandhelas and their supplies.

This is a ritual re-enactment, which, however, is not without risks and requires skill and courage. The itinerary includes seven laps around the sanctuary of Santu Antinu, inside Sa Corte, the enclosure that surrounds the sacred area.

The route is bumpy and is made even more difficult by the dust raised by the hooves of the horses in progress and by the heat, mostly scorching, of July.

There is no final prize, because the winner is already known. Only the honor and prestige of having paid homage to Saint Constantine with his dexterity and courage.

Races similar to that of Sedilo, also dedicated to San Costantino, are held on the same days in Pozzomaggiore and Samugheo.

In Pozzomaggiore, not far from Sassari, on cadhu de nanti (or pandhela de punta), or the main rider, leads the race with a flag depicting Saint Constantine. As Pandhela knows before in Sedilo, he represents Saint Constantine who opens the battle. It is equipped with an escort consisting of four knights. The others follow, who must proceed in pairs during the entire journey.

The term Àrdia also generically designates other ritual races dedicated to saints other than Santu Antinu/e.

Dualchi is an interesting example. In this town of the Lower Marghine on 28 and 29 June, a devotional race is held in honor of Saint Peter the Apostle. The riflemen on such occasions fire an incredible number of blank shots.

In the nearby town of Noragugume, there is an Àrdia for the Blessed Virgin of Itria.

It is called Vàrdia (geographical variant of Àrdia), an even race that takes place in Orgosolo in honor of Our Lady of Mesaustu ('Our Lady of the Middle of August'), preceded by a solemn procession that accompanies the statue of the sleeping Madonna through the streets of the town.

Update

30/6/2024 - 00:29