| Sardinia is an island to the west of mainland Italy in | | | | Saint saved Cagliari from a plague that devastated |
| the Mediterranean Sea south of Rome and almost | | | | the city, killing half of its inhabitants. The religious |
| entirely south of Naples. Don't be surprised that | | | | celebration lasts a full four days. Ceremonies start in |
| spring starts early here. And it is beautiful, at least | | | | Nora at noon on May 1 when his statue leaves the |
| much of the time. Many people find the Sardinian | | | | local church in a gold-plated Seventeenth Century |
| spring weather more pleasant than that of the | | | | coach drawn by oxen. Accompanied by traditional |
| Sardinian summer. So you have yet another reason | | | | music the coach visits the local villages for three |
| to vacation here during Primavera. | | | | days. An estimated five thousand people participate |
| The small town of Sardara, population about 4500, is | | | | in the procession which includes dozens of specially |
| located some 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of | | | | decorated ox-carts and traditionally dressed |
| Cagliari, the regional capital in the south of the island. | | | | horsemen. On the fourth of the month the Saint's |
| On March 12 it commemorates the death of its | | | | statue returns to Cagliari where it is greeted by |
| Patron Saint San Gregorio Magno in the beautiful early | | | | thousands of torch carrying worshippers. The |
| Fourteenth Century church of the same name. This is | | | | celebration ends with a huge banquet featuring |
| the religious ceremony. The festive version occurs on | | | | Cagliari's excellent seafood. This is one traditional |
| September 3. | | | | religious celebration, among the largest and most |
| Cagliari's population is 160 thousand; its metropolitan | | | | fervent in the world. |
| area is home to some 400 thousand. On the fourth | | | | For a change of pace visit Porto Cervo, an upscale |
| Sunday of April the city hosts the Cagliari Marathon | | | | seaside resort in northern Sardinia's Costa Smeralda |
| that passes through some very spectacular coastline. | | | | (Emerald Coast) a major home away from home for |
| You can actually apply to be part of this event, even | | | | the jet set, or should I say the yacht set? In mid |
| if you aren't Sardinian. | | | | May there is a Yacht Race, said to be the most |
| The start of May in Cagliari is dedicated to Sant'Efisio, | | | | exclusive sailing event in Italy. Of course the exact |
| an officer in Roman Emperor Diocletian's army who | | | | date and time of the race depends on the weather |
| was sent to curb Sardinia's Christian communities. He | | | | conditions. Try to get into the local observatory high |
| had a vision and converted to Christianity. After | | | | on a granite cliff for an excellent view of the race |
| refusing to renounce his faith he was beheaded in | | | | and bragging rights. I am told that you, or at least a |
| 303 in nearby Nora. According to tradition in 1652 the | | | | select few, can follow the race by car. |