CARRASECARE: The Sardinian Carnival
A unique carnival, rich in history and ancient traditions. The traditional Sardinian masks have their origins long before the carnival as we know it, and were originally used to express gratitude to Mother Earth since the time of the nuraghes. Today, they are better known as masks, but for the residents of Ottana and Mamoiada, they are much more than that—they are an integral part of their history.
- Special Trip for Visually Impaired Individuals
- Duration:
5 days/4 nights - Price:
Inquire for rates - Group Trip
Min 4 / Max 6 participants including companions. - Date:
Inquire for upcoming departures - Customized trips are possible.
Day 1: Arrival in Cagliari
Arrival in Cagliari and welcome. In the afternoon, we will transfer to Nuoro. Arrival in the city for dinner and accommodation.
Day 2: Nuoro – Visit to the House of Grazia Deledda Carnevale di Ottana
After breakfast, we will explore the city of Nuoro, with a special visit to the house where the first female Nobel Prize winner, Grazia Deledda, was born.
In the afternoon, we will travel to Ottana to attend one of Sardinia’s most characteristic carnivals. The masks featured in this city include:
“Sos Merdules,” representing the teacher dressed in a wooden mask covering his face and velvet clothes covered with sheepskins.
“Sos Boes,” the wooden mask representing the animal, sometimes uncontrollable, moving on the outskirts of the group. These masks carry brass and bells on their shoulders, held by leather belts, tied and guided by the “Su merdule” stick.
“Sa filonzana,” also portrayed by a man, has the face covered by a wooden mask. She wears women’s clothing, spins wool with a woolen plume, spindle, and scissors, cutting the thread of life and predicting the future based on the quality and quantity of wine offered to her. She is an autonomous figure that moves among the crowd.
The origin of these masks is not well known, representing a millennia-old tradition that has survived to this day.
In the afternoon, return to Nuoro. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 3: Oristano
After breakfast, we travel to the Oristano area, making a stop in the village of Norbello. Here, we find a private collection of reproductions of the most representative nuraghi of Sardinia, on a reduced scale, allowing us to fully understand them.
We continue through this part of the island, and in the afternoon, we head to Santulussurgiu to experience the Lusurgian carnival. On this particular day, daring riders gallop with their horses through a narrow village street, attempting to catch the head of a cloth chicken, replacing a real one used until the seventies. At the end of the day, we return to Nuoro. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 4: Nuoro and Mamoiada Area
We’ll spend the morning exploring the distinctive villages in the Nuoro area, surrounded by scents and flavors. Ancient sites where Nuragic and Shardana peoples lived and celebrated their rituals are scattered across the landscape.
These places were later transformed by the Romans when Sardinia became the second Roman province.
In the afternoon, in Mamoiada, we’ll encounter the most famous Sardinian masks: the Mamuthones and the Issohadores.
The Mamuthones have their faces covered by a black mask and wear dark skins with bells hanging from their backs.
The Issohadores are dressed in red bodices and white masks, escorting and directing the Mamuthones. With cords, they catch young women in the crowd as a sign of good luck for good health and fertility. In the past, wealthy individuals from the town were captured to wish them a good year, and they had to offer wine and sweets to the group in exchange for the good wishes.
This day extends into the night around the bonfires in the village, tasting local wines and sweets.
Finally, return to the hotel for accommodation.
Day 5: Return Home
Transfer to Cagliari Airport.
End of our services.
The program for the first and last day may vary depending on the flight schedule.
Travel Format: Tour Package
Accompaniment: Provided by the association, ensuring one companion for every two travelers throughout the entire trip without time limits. To better guarantee our service, we do not rely on volunteers for assistance.
Package for 4 travelers:
Airfare: Not included because, at the time of planning the trip, we don’t know from which city travelers will depart. However, we manage and search for the best fare if desired.
Upon request, the trip can also be organized for two people.
The fee includes:
- 4 nights with breakfast in a double room at a 3-star hotel
- Group accompaniment
- Meals for companions
- Local transportation with private means
- Transfer to/from the airport
- Private transfer for visits
- Guided tours with tickets according to the program
- Touch-sensitive assistance material
- Flight for companions
- Medical and luggage insurance
- Technical organization
- Tourist tax
The fee does not include:
- Personal meals
- Arrival travel
- Any extras and anything not specified in “the fee includes.”
Information:
The established price offers accommodation in double rooms, and if different accommodations are desired, the additional cost will be borne by the client.
Availability and service rates subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
Possible changes to the program after checking availability.
For more information or to make a reservation, please email hola@vive4all.com.
If you have a destination you would like to visit, let us know, and we’ll organize a custom trip for you.