Sant'Efisio between faith, tradition and tourism . With an increase in the number of visitors compared to 2024, according to sources from the regional tourism department. A probably record turnout also favored by the long weekends and the presence in Sardinia of many foreigners arriving on cruise ships and low-cost flights. Changes to traffic defined .
THE FESTIVAL – The highlight of the 369th Feast of Sant'Efisio will be, as always, May 1st with the crowds for the costume parade and the passage of the saint on his journey from the little church of Stampace to the places of his martyrdom. But the organizers and the municipalities of Cagliari, Pula, Capoterra, Villa San Pietro and Sarroch also underline the importance of the days before and after with the stops towards Nora and the return to the city on May 4th.
THE NUMBERS – In the procession 17 traccas, 70 groups of devotees on foot for a total of 2,600 people in traditional dress. And then 32 groups of horsemen for a total of 162 horses, four platoons for 56 militiamen and five groups of instrumentalists who will provide the soundtrack to the parade.
"A unique opportunity - said the mayor Massimo Zedda in the press conference of the festival - for tourists who will be able to appreciate all the colors and the variety of costumes and jewels, as well as the deep religious meaning of the feast of Sant'Efisio".
It is the second Sant'Efisio with the construction site on Via Roma. "We hope - concluded the mayor - that it will be the last".
The Alter Nos will be the municipal councilor Marzia Cilloccu , the third woman called to represent the municipality of Cagliari, while there will be no Third Guardian to lead the Confraternity of the Gonfalone in all aspects of the Festival : this time there will be a collegial direction.
There is also news for the funding related to the Cammino di Sant'Efisio: another 2.5 million in ministerial funds are coming, in addition to an initial allocation of 2.4 million.
THE RITES – It begins tomorrow in the church of Sant'Efisio with the arrangement of the carriage and the delivery of the flag and standards to the militiamen. On the 29th the dressing of the simulacrum with gala clothes, on the 30th the ceremony of adornment with votive gold, the enthronement mass and the prayer vigil. May 1st, the most awaited day with at least four key events, the mass of the Alter Nos, the exit of the carriage from the church, the parade and the passage of the simulacrum in front of the Municipality.
(Online Union)