Sassari Things to Do Tips by Paisleypaul

Festival of the CAndles - Candeleiri 14 agosto

This has run annually for 400 to 500 years on 14th August, the eve of the Assumption, in thanks for deliverance from a plague

The nine candles are in fact 8 metre tall coloured wooden columns, painted, decortated, bedecked on ribbons and carrying religious iconography. Nine ancient guilds - farmers, land owners, carpenters,stone pike men, wayfarers, tailors cobblers vegetable farmers and stonemasons - are all represented.

The Candelieri are blessed in the Church of the Rosary at Piazza Rosario before lining up to proceed from Piazza Castello at around 18:00. At length they proceed down Corso Vittorio Emanulele II for the 'a zent anni' - Sardinian dialect for the 100 years blessing at the town hall.

Finally they end up at Santa Marai di Bethlehem church, although they were nowhwere near when we had to catch the last rain for Alghero at 20:55. It does take all night ! A record crowd extimated by the daily newspaper at 100,000 + attended in 2006, the numbersthringing the streets and packing the cafes were what made the spectacle to me

Address: Piazza Castello/ Corso Vittorio Emanule II

Directions: Can't miss the crowds !

Phone: 079 2830902 / 2830905

Fontana di Rosello

Genovese stonemasons created the original Fonte in 1606, unfortunately the four figures -who represent the four seasons - were damaged during civil unrest and the new figures date back 180 years

Address: Corso Trinita / Piazza Mercato

Directions: Central to the town, the medieval walls run along Corso Trinita