Sardinian cult distinguished by thousends festival and a century old faith

In Desulo (Barbagie), on occasion of the festivity of the “Madonna del Carmelo” (in July), it is really interesting to see the suggestive procession along the town's streets with the banners of the Virgo and the prioresse in traditional costume. A ritual that is handed on from nearly a century.

Saint Simplicio: the Saint patron of Olbia (Gallura) is celebrated on the 15th of May in the gallurese city, that from centuries remembers his martyrdom ( 304 A.D.). In the basilica dedicated to Saint Simplicio, the rituals begin on the day of the eve with a parade through the streets of the historical center, promoted by the organizing committee.

“Nostra Signora di Regnos Altos” (Our Lady of Regnos Altos) : in the small city of Marghine-Planargia, on the second Sunday of September, from the little church dedicated to Nostra Signora di Regnos Altos ( inside the castle of Malaspina, tin Bosa), leaves a procession that takes the Virgin's simulacrum to the cathedral. Very evocative is the torchlight procession along the medieval quarter roads, adorned with little altars prepared by the faithfuls.

On the evening of the 14th of August, Lunamatrona (Marmilla) celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a procession that leaves from the church of Saint Mary.

Saint Bernardino from Siena: from the far 1580, Mogoro (Marmilla) renews the traditional appointment for the veneration of Saint Bernardino from Siena with a procession that leaves from the homonym church of XIII the century, up to the church dedicated to Sant’Antioco: where numerous previous vows are conserved . The celebration lasts three days.

Nostra Signora di Valverde (Our Lady of Valverde): the festivity dedicated to the Madonna in the homonym sanctuary of Valverde, animates the locality at about ten kilometers from Alghero (Nurra), in middle of the countryside. The pilgrims arrive from all over Sardinia and also from abroad.

Protomartiri turritani: the 25th of October is the date in which Port Torres (Nurra) remembers the martyrdom of Saints Gavino, Proto and Gianuario, patrons of the locality of the Nurra. The religious ritual is carried out in the big Romanesque basilica of Saint Gavino.

Madonna del Naufrago: on the second Sunday of July, thousands of faithfuls, including many tourists, participate to the celebration in honor of the Madonna of the Naufrago (castaway), in Villasimius (Sarrabus). A quite recent ritual: the first edition was held in 1979. That year, on the bottom of the sea offing the small city, was placed the Virgin's statue, three meters high, realized by the sculptor Pinuccio Sciola from San Sperate. At eleven meters of depth, between Villasimius and the Isola dei Cavoli, the simulacrum in rose trachyte, is venerated by the faithfuls arriving with different kinds of boats who place crowns of flowers. The Madonna is asked for the protection of all those who travel trough the sea. In 1985, on the occasion of his visit to Sardinia, Pope John Paul II blessed a lamp that was placed at the feet of the Madonna del Naufrago.