For Ardia 2024 the wait is over . The latest checks on the safety of the route carried out this morning also gave positive results, and the town is experiencing the usual exciting atmosphere that can be felt on the eve of the race in honor of Saint Constantine. Emotions that will reach their peak on Saturday 6 July when the race leader Mario Meloni shortly after 7pm will start the race from "Su Frontigheddu" flanked by the other two flags Michele Carboni and Costantino Atzas. They will descend at the head of the large group of around one hundred knights, all united by the desire to dissolve the vow with a beautiful Ardia and above all by the hope that everything will go well.
Meloni and his trusty squires tested the route last June 29th, remaining satisfied with the responses received. "We are calm - says sa prima flag - the state of the track is good, the horses responded well" . For the people of Sezzo, on the feast of San Costantino the religious aspect prevails over everything else and if the Ardia continues to exist, it's not just by tradition or what has been passed down
“It is renewed – highlights the mayor Salvatore Pes – due to the great devotion that is nurtured towards the holy emperor. The same profound faith that animates every single person from Sella”. Once again the protagonists will be the Municipality, Parish, flags, knights, "Santu Antinu" association, riflemen, law enforcement, civil protection, volunteers . On their part, great commitment in recent weeks to offer the best dress in the community.
The organization is tested, but it is good to remember that there are rules of personal responsibility and safety to be respected. For this reason, from the early morning, the order and parking service ensures that all cars are arranged in an orderly manner, in order also to be able to exit peacefully at the end of the event. For those arriving in Sedilo it is important to remember that from the 131 bis Abbasanta - Nuoro they must enter at the Sedilo Sud crossroads, arrive in the town and follow the stretch of road that leads to the parking area and then on foot to the natural amphitheater of San Costantino. The same applies to people arriving from Olbia - Nuoro who enter the Sedilo Nord junction.
The entire complex general organization is entrusted to the Santu Antinu association led by president Annarita Nanu . Theirs is a great team effort to ensure refreshment and parking services, while the order service has been entrusted by the Municipality to the Civil Protection. Inside the amphitheater there is the first aid unit coordinated by the medical director with his staff, who will have seven ambulances at their disposal. The tourist information offices are also open where the members of the association are available for any problem.
The advice to those who have to attend the Ardia is to arrive at 5pm at the latest if they want to find a parking space. When the car areas are full you will only be able to park in the village and walk down. For those who cannot be in Sedilo, the 11am mass and tonight's Ardia can be seen on Videolina with commentary by Giacomo Serreli.
The religious functions begin at dawn with masses every hour while at 11 am the solemn concelebration will be held in the sanctuary presided over by the bishop of Bosa Alghero Mauro Maria Morfino, in the presence of the priests of the forania . At 6pm in Piazza S. Giovanni the parish priest Don Maurizio Demartis delivers Sas Pandelas .
On Sunday morning 7 July at 7am the Ardia repeats itself with the same rituals. At the end, mass in the sanctuary with the flags and in the afternoon at 6.30 pm in the parish vespers and solemn procession of San Costantino.
