DESCRIPTION
  

• The name Ardia comes from the word "bardiare", that means to guard: it seems, in fact, that it was originally meant to defend the Sanctuary from possible attacks coming from the outside. 
  
  
• The first part of the festivity takes place in the town square: the parish priest of the church of Saint John the Baptist chooses three horsemen, who will represent the defenders of Cristianity during the race: they are invested of this great honor with the delivery of pandelas, three flags which are white, red and yellow in colour.   
  The latter is the most important one, and is called sa pandela madzore.
  During the race, they are supported by Sas iscortas, three escorts equipped with lances and banners: they must PREVENT the other horsemen from moving beyond the PANDELAS.
  If that should happen, it would be of ill omen, meaning that Christianity and its values have been defeated.    
   
• The group of horsemen reaches the area of the sanctuary, with the band playing and the deafening shots of the riflemen: they stop on su frontigheddu, a very steep slope, which overhangs the entire area.
  The race begins here.  
    
• The departure is decided by the horseman who carries sa pandela madzore: he chooses the most appropriate and unexpected moment to suddenly begin the race, with patience and intelligence.
  The other two pandelas and the escorts follow him at once: with sticks they resist the violence of other horsemen, who try to arrive first inside the Court de Santu Antine.   
  A thirty metre long, uneven slope in the dust, among sweat, riflemen's shots, a shouting crowd, up to the arch leading to the court. 
     
• The arch, that recalls the ones in ancient Rome, is a narrow and dangerous entrance, but the riders from Sedilo are equal to this task: with strength, ability and courage, they ride full gallop up to the path in front of the Sanctuary. 
  
  
• Here,  with a rhythmical step, they begin the ritual rotations around the church; the number, varying from three to seven, is again decided by the first pandela: his fast spring starts the race towards sa muredda, a rotunda with an iron-cross in the centre of the court. 
  
  
  
• The ritual turns are again repeated, this time around sa muredda, waiting for the new sortie of the first pandela towards the Sanctuary. 
  
  
  
• All lasts approx. half an hour,
  but the excitement involves all participants and spectators.    

 

photos: P.C. Murru