S' Ardia

Barbagia is a large mountainous area in the central-eastern part of Sardinia, the Italian island that has extraordinary nature. There are also many isolated villages where people still follow and respect ancient traditions. They live out mostly of sheep-farming and horse-breeding. In the village of Sedilo, every year, a hundred of the most daring and brave horse riders participate in a wild and unrestrained race: the S'ardia. They don't race for money or glory but to show their devotion to a warrior saint, Saint Constantine. Actually he is not a proper saint, according to the Vatican Church that never approved him; but he is to Sedilos people, who celebrate his deeds. Riders run down the hill at full gallop, pounding towards the narrow entrance below the Arc of Constantine at full speed amongst rifle shots and clouds of dust.