Ardia San Costantino Pozzomaggiore 2026

Ardia San Costantino Pozzomaggiore 2026: what to expect

In Pozzomaggiore, at the heart of the Meilogu, Santu Antineddu returns — the late-summer replica of the famous Ardia, the votive horse race in honour of Emperor Constantine. From 29 August to 1 September 2026, the Sanctuary of San Costantino becomes the beating heart of intense days where deep faith, equestrian tradition and community spirit come together in a uniquely Sardinian spectacle.

The name Santu Antineddu — literally «little Constantine» in Sardinian — tells the popular story behind this second Ardia: those busy with the July harvest and unable to attend the main race on 6–7 July found here their chance to fulfil their vow to the Saint. Same devotion, same ritual, same intensity.

The programme unfolds over three rich days. The triduum (29–31 August) opens the spiritual phase of the festival. On 31 August the first evening Ardia takes place, with the blessing of horsemen and the ritual race around the Sanctuary. 1 September is the great day: the procession accompanied by the «Città di Sennori» town band, the adults’ Ardia, the procession of the statues, and in the afternoon, s’Ardia de sos pizzinnos, the miniature version performed by the young riders of the Giara Club of Oristano. An event not to be missed.

Ardia San Costantino Pozzomaggiore Programme 2026

From 29 August to 1 September 2026, Pozzomaggiore relives Santu Antineddu, the late-summer replica of the Ardia in honour of San Costantino: the same votive horse race as in July, held again at the end of August to allow those who missed it to fulfil their vow to the Saint.

The triduum (29–31 August)

On 29, 30 and 31 August, each evening at 6:30 pm, the triduum of preparation is celebrated in the Church of San Costantino. This is the most collected and spiritual moment of the festival, when the community gathers in prayer before the great events of the days ahead.

Monday 31 August — The first Ardia

On the afternoon of 31 August, at 6:00 pm, the religious banners set off from the seat of the Obriere Maggiore «Fedales 1997» in Via La Madonnina towards the parish, where the meeting with Father Vito Lombardi precedes the solemn blessing of horses and horsemen. The procession then winds its way to the Church of San Costantino, where solemn Vespers and Holy Mass are celebrated; the gun salutes herald the Ardia, the sacred ritual gallop around the Sanctuary. The evening closes at 10:00 pm with a DJ set.

Tuesday 1 September — The great day

1 September is the heart of the event. Between 8:00 and 9:00 am Holy Masses open the day at the Sanctuary of San Costantino. At 10:00 am the banners resume the route from the Obriere Maggiore to the parish; after the blessing of horses and horsemen with Father Vito Lombardi, the procession to the Sanctuary is accompanied by the «Città di Sennori» town band and lively gun salutes. On arrival, the Ardia begins; the procession of the statues of Saints Constantine, Sylvester and Helena follows, and on the return there are more gun salutes and another round of the Ardia.

In the afternoon, at 5:30 pm, the stage belongs to the youngest: the mini riders of the «Giara Club» of Oristano perform s’Ardia de Santu Antine fatta dae sos pizzinnos e pariglias, the miniature version of the race that moves audiences and shows how the tradition is passed from generation to generation. The evening ends at 10:00 pm with Sardinian ethnic music by Dilliriana.

How to Get to Pozzomaggiore

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Ardia San Costantino (Santu Antineddu) take place in Pozzomaggiore?

Santu Antineddu runs from 29 August (triduum) to 1 September 2026. The main days featuring the Ardia horse race are 31 August and 1 September at the Sanctuary of San Costantino.

What is Santu Antineddu?

Santu Antineddu is the Sardinian name for the late-summer replica of the Ardia di Pozzomaggiore, the sacred votive horse race in honour of Emperor Constantine. It was introduced so that farmers and shepherds busy with the July harvest could fulfil their vow to the Saint, with the same ritual as the main race on 6–7 July.

Where does the Santu Antineddu festival take place in Pozzomaggiore?

The festival is held mainly at the Sanctuary of San Costantino, on a hill at the edge of Pozzomaggiore (SS), in the Meilogu. The procession sets off from the seat of the Obriere Maggiore «Fedales 1997» in Via La Madonnina.

Is entry to the festival free?

Yes, the festival is free to attend. For the latest information, contact the Parish of Pozzomaggiore or the Obriere Maggiore «Fedales 1997».

History and Traditions

Santu Antineddu — literally «little Constantine», from Antine, the Sardinian form of Constantine — is the name given in Pozzomaggiore to the late-summer replica of the famous Ardia, the votive horse race in honour of Emperor Constantine. The main race is held every year on 6 and 7 July at the Sanctuary of San Costantino, built in the 1920s at the initiative of veterans returning from the First World War and emigrants who had come back to the village; but since many farmers, harvesters and shepherds were still busy in the fields during the July harvest, the community introduced this second edition at the end of August, with the same ritual and the same devotion, so that everyone could honour the Saint and fulfil their vow.

The ritual faithfully follows that of July: the blessing of the horsemen at the parish church, the procession to the Sanctuary accompanied by the town band and gun salutes, and finally the Ardia itself, with horsemen in red jackets led by Su Caddu e Punta galloping in ritual laps around the church. On 1 September, after the adults’ Ardia, the youngest villagers perform their own miniature version — s’Ardia de sos pizzinnos — a sign of how the tradition is passed down from generation to generation.