DEVOTEE ◉ COSTUMED PARTICIPANT ◉ TOURIST ◉ PILGRIM
How to
Attend
Devotee, costumed participant, tourist, or pilgrim? Here's everything you need to know to experience the festival at its best.
Ways to Participate
The most intense form of participation: walking in the procession in traditional Sardinian dress. Every town in Sardinia has its own costume — from Ogliastra to Campidano, from Barbagia to Sulcis.
- →Contact the folk group of your town of origin
- →Registration is handled by the Archconfraternity or local groups
- →Costume provided by the group or owned personally
- →Free participation, advance booking required
Following the procession on foot, for all or part of the route: an authentic pilgrimage of faith covering about 100 km round trip over 4 days between Cagliari, Nora, and back.
- →Comfortable clothing and sturdy trekking shoes
- →Plenty of water (the route is exposed to May sun)
- →Accommodation booked in the main stages (Sarroch, Pula)
- →You can also join just for one or two days
Watching the May 1st departure from Cagliari is an extraordinary experience, even without following the entire route.
- →Via Roma (12 PM–2 PM): the tribute at the City Hall — the most moving moment
- →Piazza Sant'Efisio (10 AM): departure of the tracas with the adorned oxen
- →Arrive early: the crowd starts forming as early as 9 AM
- →The return on May 4th (11:30 PM) is equally moving but less crowded
Horsemen open the way for the Saint's carriage in three historic formations. They require years of preparation and membership in specific equestrian groups.
- →Miliziani: in antique red jackets — the most formal unit
- →Campidanesi: horsemen from the Campidano plain
- →Guardiania: the Saint's direct honour escort
- →Contact the Archconfraternity well in advance
Best Spots to Watch the Procession
Piazza Sant'Efisio — Stampace (10 AM–12 PM)
The heart of the departure. Watch the blessing of the tracas and the formation of the procession. Location: in front of the Stampace church, Via di Sant'Efisio.
Via Roma — Tribute at the City Hall (1 PM–2 PM)
The most emotional moment: the carriage stops in front of the City Hall, every church bell in Cagliari rings out, and the ship sirens in the harbour wail in unison. Via Roma is long — find a spot early.
Nora — The Beach of the Martyrdom (May 2–3)
If you can make only one stop outside Cagliari, choose Nora. The small Romanesque church on the beach, the Pontifical Mass, the procession toward the archaeological site: a uniquely evocative atmosphere.
The Night Return to Cagliari (May 4, 11:30 PM)
Less known to tourists, but equally touching: the statue returns by night, welcomed by thousands of faithful in front of Stampace. The release of the Vow is read and the traditional farewell is spoken: "A atrus annus!" — until next year.
Tribunes along Via Roma
Five official grandstands along the May 1st route — from T5 free accessible tribune (25 wheelchair seats + 25 companions) to the iconic T4 in front of City Hall. Tickets from April 10 on boxofficesardegna.it.
How to Contribute — Sa Ramadura
Sa ramadura (Sardinian for "the scattering") is the gesture with which the city welcomes its protector: the procession's route is covered with aromatic herbs and pink, red, and yellow flowers. Cagliaritans bring flowers on the morning of May 1st and lay them on the asphalt before the procession passes.
Once trampled by the oxen, horsemen, and costumed participants, the petals fill the air with intense perfume and colour the street with a living carpet. It is one of the most powerful sensory rites of the festival.
Want to take part in sa ramadura? Bring fresh flowers (roses, carnations, wildflowers) to Stampace before 9 AM on May 1st.
Traditional Flowers
- ● Rose petals — the most common, fragrant
- ● Broom flowers — symbol of Sardinian rebirth
- ● Aromatic herbs — myrtle, rosemary, lavender
- ● Carnations and wildflowers — brought by every family
The Traditional Costumes
Every town in Sardinia has its own traditional costume. They are among the richest and most complex in Europe: gold and silver thread embroidery, precious fabrics, filigree silver and coral jewellery, elaborate headgear. Many costumes are handed down from generation to generation.
| Unit | Attire | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Costumed participants | Traditional costume of their town of origin | Over 3,000 people from across Sardinia |
| Miliziani | Antique red jackets, white trousers | Open the way for the carriage |
| Confraters | Blue penitential habit | Members of the Archconfraternity |
| Consorelle (Consisters) | Black dress with head veil | Female section of the Archconfraternity |
| Alter Nos | Tailcoat and top hat, on horseback | Representative of the Municipality of Cagliari |
Logistics Info
Transport
- Cagliari: Historic centre and Via Roma reachable on foot. Paid parking in outskirts during festival days.
- Traffic on May 1st (city ordinances 1172, 1179, 1197): parking and transit bans from 30 April to 4 May on the whole procession route (Stampace, Marina, Via Roma, Viale Trieste) and the western exit (Viale La Playa, Scafa bridge, Viale Pula). Total closure of Via Roma 06:00-16:00 on 1 May. For the 4 May return: parking ban 08:00-24:00, transit ban 19:00-24:00. Leave your car outside the centre.
- CTM city buses: on 1 May from 05:00 until the city centre reopens (around 14:00), lines 1, 5/11, 7, 8A, 9, 10, 30R, 31R, M, PQ, PF are diverted. Stops at Piazza Matteotti, Via Roma (arcade side) and along the procession route are suspended. Temporary terminals in Viale Bonaria (M at stop 2158, PF and PQ at 2159). Info line 800.078.870 (08:30-18:30 also on 1 May).
- Extra trains: Trenitalia is running 10 additional trains on the Cagliari–San Gavino–Oristano line for the 370th edition, with about 3,000 extra seats (total ~21,000 over the weekend). Tickets at trenitalia.com, app, ticket offices, self-service kiosks and authorised retailers.
- Nora/Pula: Own car or ARST regional buses from Cagliari to Pula. Road SP195 may be subject to temporary closures.
- Train to Pula: no rail service exists — use car, ARST or dedicated shuttles.
Accommodation
- Cagliari (May 1 and 4): Book at least 2–3 months in advance. All hotels fill up quickly.
- Pula / Nora (May 2–3): Limited availability — booking essential. Consider B&Bs and agriturismi in the area.
- Sarroch (night May 1–2): Very small accommodation offer — book very early.
What to Bring
- ✓ Comfortable shoes (you'll be on your feet for hours)
- ✓ Water (May is already warm in Sardinia)
- ✓ Sunscreen and hat
- ✓ Layered clothing (mornings can be cool)
- ✓ Snacks — there are stalls along the route but bringing your own is helpful
- ✓ Charged camera or phone
Useful Contacts
- Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone:
Chiesa di Sant'Efisio, Via di Sant'Efisio, Stampace, Cagliari - City of Cagliari — Tourism Office:
For information on services during the festival - Sardinia Region — Tourism:
sardegnaturismo.it for up-to-date maps and info
Full schedule and stages
See the 2026 Programme →