GIOSTRE E TORNEI EQUESTRI NELLE CITTÀ REGIE DELLA SARDEGNA TRA XVI E XXI SECOLO: FENOMENOLOGIA ED EVOLUZIONE DELLA SARTIGLIA DI ORISTANO

The thesis constitutes the work of transcription and translation of all the unpublished documentation, together with the study and interpretation of the published one, relating to the Sartiglia of Oristano, one of the last equestrian rides that still run in the European area. Documented since 1547, Sartiglia, from the Catalan sortilla, that means “ring”, is a ring joust, a target which, in 1716, was replaced by a star, pierced in the centre, which has to be caught with a sword or a spear of wood by the galloping riders. The carousel marks the main festive moments in the city of Oristano: from the 16th to the 18th century, on the occasion of extraordinary events such as births or weddings of princes and from the 19th century, started marking the days of the carnival. The thesis analyzes the different phases of the historical evolution of the carousel, demonstrating how the main stages are closely linked to the institutional passages of the city's history. Pointing out the elements of continuity and those of innovation that have arisen over time, the research proposes various hypotheses for the reconstruction of the oldest places where Sartiglia was held in the city and focuses on the central role assumed by Gremi, the ancient religious trade guilds which, starting from XVIII century, up to the present day, they represent the holders of this equestrian tradition. The thesis also attempts to give a historical explanation of the reasons that have allowed this carousel to reach our days, unlike many other ancient carousels whose performance was interrupted, only to be re-proposed in some cities, in the form of historical re-enactments. Finally, the study constitutes an ethnography of the current joust, reviewing the ceremonies, the protagonists, the institutions responsible for the organization and cultural enhancement and the relationships with the other European cities where historic jousts take place.