Feast of Saint George 2026: what to expect
From 15 to 29 August 2026 Urzulei, an Ogliastra village perched on the Supramonte, celebrates Saint George of Suelli, the evangelising bishop the community venerates as co-patron. The festival is organised by the committee of the 1976, 1986 and 1996 fedales together with the Pro Loco and the parish of San Giovanni Battista, under the patronage of the municipality. The heart of the festival is Sunday 16 August: in the morning a solemn Mass sung by the Coro Priamo Gallisay of Nuoro and the procession accompanied by the folk group in traditional dress and Simone Cabiddu's accordion, winding from Via San Giorgio to the saint's church; in the afternoon the passing of the crown through the village streets. Around this day unfold almost two weeks of events: Maria Luisa Congiu's concert, a Sardinian dance contest for children and adults, the Orthulleinu wine competition, an improvised poetry contest in Sardinian with Bruno Agus and Diego Porcu, music and karaoke evenings. Almost every night ends with Sardinian dancing in the square, while on Saturday 29 August registrations open for the Campionadu Sardu de Sa Murra.
Programme Feast of Saint George 2026
The official programme, organised by the 2026 "Fedales 76-86-96" committee with the Pro Loco of Urzulei and the parish of San Giovanni Battista, includes the religious celebrations on Sunday 16 August and the civic evenings on 15, 16, 19, 21, 22, 23 and 29 August.
Saturday 15 August
At 22:00 concert by Maria Luisa Congiu, followed by Sardinian dancing in the square with Simone Cabiddu.
Sunday 16 August — Solemnity of Saint George
At 10:00 solemn Mass in honour of Saint George, sung by the Coro Priamo Gallisay of Nuoro and presided over by Rev. Don Stefano Paba, parish priest of San Domenico Savio in Nuoro.
At 10:45 solemn procession in honour of Saint George of Suelli, with the folk group and Simone Cabiddu's accordion. The route runs along Via San Giorgio, Via Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Buca e Turru, Via Umberto and Via Mazzini to the church of San Giorgio. After the procession, Sardinian dancing in the square with refreshments offered by the committee.
At 17:00 the passing of the crown in honour of Saint George through the village streets; at the same time, children's games in Piazza Fontana with Max Animazione. At 22:00 a music show with the group Brinca, followed by Sardinian dancing with Simone Cabiddu.
Wednesday 19 August
At 21:00 Orthulleinu, a wine competition devoted to the village's wine. At 21:30 Sardinian dance contest for children and at 22:30 Sardinian dance contest for adults.
Friday 21 August
At 22:00 improvised poetry contest with Bruno Agus and Diego Porcu, followed by a treasure hunt and then Sardinian dancing with Simone Cabiddu.
Saturday 22 August
At 22:00 Jamin-a Band, a tribute to Fabrizio De André with the "Volta la carta tour". At 23:00 On The Road Band, official country music. At midnight Best Generation Band with DJ Marco Bruni and DJ Enrico Ciccotto.
Sunday 23 August
At 22:00 karaoke and a magic show, followed by Sardinian dancing with Simone Cabiddu.
Saturday 29 August
At 19:00 registrations open for the Campionadu Sardu de Sa Murra, the championship of the traditional finger game of murra that closes the festival calendar.
How to reach Urzulei
Distances from main cities
Cagliari
175 km · 2 h 45 min
Olbia
160 km · 2 h 30 min
Alghero
205 km · 3 h 15 min
Event venue
Church of San Giorgio and historic centre — Urzulei
Via San Giorgio, 08040 Urzulei (NU)
🚗 By car
From Cagliari take the SS554 and then the new SS125 Orientale Sarda to Tortolì; from there continue north on the old SS125 through Lotzorai and Baunei, over the Genna Silana pass to Urzulei, in about two and three-quarter hours. From Olbia and Nuoro head to Dorgali and then south along the SS125, passing above the Gorropu Gorge. From Sassari and Alghero it is best to reach Nuoro via the SS131 and SS131 DCN and continue to Dorgali. The last stretch is a winding mountain road: drive carefully, especially in the evening.
🚌 Train and bus
Urzulei has no railway station: it is served by ARST buses along the SS125 towards Tortolì and towards Dorgali and Nuoro. Services are few and do not cover evening hours: for the night-time shows a car is practically essential.
✈️ Nearest airport
Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport (approx. 160 km), about 2 hours 30 minutes' drive from Urzulei via Nuoro and Dorgali. Alternatively, Cagliari-Elmas Airport (approx. 180 km) is about 2 hours 45 minutes away along the SS125 Orientale Sarda.
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Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 Feast of Saint George in Urzulei take place?
The festival takes place on 15, 16, 19, 21, 22, 23 and 29 August 2026. The main day is Sunday 16 August, with the solemn Mass at 10:00 and the procession at 10:45.
Which Saint George is celebrated in Urzulei?
It is Saint George of Suelli, an 11th-century Sardinian bishop who, according to tradition, evangelised Ogliastra and also passed through Urzulei. The village venerates him as co-patron.
Where does the procession go?
The procession on Sunday 16 August runs along Via San Giorgio, Via Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Buca e Turru, Via Umberto and Via Mazzini to the church of San Giorgio, accompanied by the folk group and Simone Cabiddu's accordion.
Is admission free?
Yes, the religious celebrations, concerts and dancing in the square are free and open to the public. Participants must register for the Sardinian dance contest and the Campionadu Sardu de Sa Murra.
Are there activities for children?
Yes: on Sunday 16 August at 17:00 children's games in Piazza Fontana with Max Animazione, and on Wednesday 19 August at 21:30 a Sardinian dance contest for children.
How do I get to Urzulei?
By car along the SS125: from Cagliari via Tortolì and Baunei in about 2 hours 45 minutes, from Olbia and Nuoro via Dorgali in about 2 hours 30 minutes. ARST buses link the village with Tortolì and Dorgali, but there are no evening services.
History and traditions of the Feast of Saint George
The Saint George celebrated in Urzulei is not the knight who slays the dragon, but Saint George of Suelli, a Sardinian bishop who lived in the 11th century and led the diocese of Barbaria, based in Suelli. Tradition remembers him as a tireless evangeliser of the island's interior, from the Trexenta to Ogliastra and the mountains of Barbagia.
According to local memory the holy bishop also passed through Urzulei, and some place names bear witness to it: the locality "Sa Sedda de Santu Giorghi", overlooking the village, still carries his name. For this reason the village venerates him as co-patron and dedicates a church to him, the destination of the solemn procession.
The feast falls on the third Sunday of August and is organised each year by a committee of "fedales", people born in the same year: in 2026 the classes of 1976, 1986 and 1996, together with the Pro Loco and the parish of San Giovanni Battista. A distinctive rite is the passing of the saint's crown through the streets of the village.
Alongside the religious celebrations, the festival weeks bring the community of Orthullè together around Sardinian dancing, improvised poetry, the "Orthulleinu" wine competition and murra, the traditional finger game that draws players from all over the island at the end of August.