THE ARDIA
If you have never seen Ardia, you cannot understand:
it is a strong experience, than can’t be forgotten…
Ardia is a ritual horse-race, that takes place every year in Sedilo, a town in the province of Oristano. The 6th and the 7th of July, dozens of horsemen throw themselves in a crazy race in honour of Saint Costantino: devotion, dust, sun, fiery horses, competition… all this is Ardia.
Its charm comes from the contrast between the deep faith that inspires the race, and the reckless violence of the race itself: faith, but also strength and audacity beyond any limit.
Every year in Sedilo an ancient ritual repeats: history and myth gain the time.
by Grazia Villani
photos kindly granted
by Mr. Costantino Mongili, known as “su’ Attu