Surrounded by wonderful scenery, where nearly every corner or angle is itself a natural monument, there is an extremely rich heritage of traditions (in particular crafts, popular and religious festivals) all different but all linked by the same remote origins which sometimes date back to prehistoric times and ancient methods which are still maintained in traditional crafts such as weaving, pottery, woodwork, metalwork and jewellery.

Popular traditions and festivals

In the wide range of popular Sardinian traditions, religious rituals are by far the most important. One of the most significant and heartfelt moments is the ritual of Holy week, in particular in Alghero. Another popular event in Lunissanti (Easter Monday) which is held in Castelsardo and Tergu, animated by members of the confraternity. In the Sassari area, people are particularly devoted to the “turritani” martyrs (Gavino, Proto and Gianuario). These martyrs are celebrated between may and June in Porto Torres. In Olbia, one of the biggest events is ”Sa Festa Manna de mesu Maju” on the 15 May in honour of San Simplicio. Another remarkably popular festival is devoted to San Costantino at Pozzomaggiore in which the famous “Ardia”, a horse race, is run. Among the celebrations devoted to the breaking of ancient vows, the most important is the descent of the “candelieri “in Sassari (la Faradda), which takes place on 14 August and is organised by cooperative associations called “gremi”: eight ornately decorated heavy wooden columns are carried in processions along the streets of the old town. Similar processions are made in Nulvi (14 August) and Ploaghe (15 August). Among the non religious folk events there is the Cavalcata Sarda in Sassari (May): a parade of traditional costumes from allover the island. One cannot forget Carnival time: the most important being in Tempio Pausania with a procession of satirical floats.

Traditional crafts

The roots of traditional Sardinian crafts date from the Island's distant history. One of the most ancient arts is pottery, now mostly artistic, with workshops found mainly in Sassari. The art of basket weaving also has remote origins: in Castelsardo, there is a much admired workshop and museum. Textile making in wool, cotton and linen of carpets, wall-hangings, cushions and curtains is still carried out in many places, especially in Nule but also Villanova Monteleone, Bonorva and Aggius. The most traditional very refined. gold jewellery is in filigree. The best gold workshops are in Sassari, Alghero and Arzachena. In Alghero, there are also several coral laboratories. Carpentry lays a particular emphasis on furniture, particularly carved blanket boxes. Traditional carpenters can be found in Sassari, Buddusò, Tempio Pausania and Alghero. As far as metalwork is concerned, traditional knives ( the so-called “Pattadesi”) are mostly made in Pattada.