King Giorgio | My Sardinian Life

Welcome to Carnival Tempio Pausania, Sardinia, Italy

Below you will find the three major parade dates and time listings for major events.
Main events are held on February 16, 19 and 21.

Thursday, February 16

12pm – King Giorgio makes his grand entrance into the city of Tempio Pausania – Via Matteotti.
3:30pm – The grand parade of floats, dance troupes, flag throwers and musicians begins.
7pm – In Piazza Gallura. The engagement dinner honouring King Giorgio and Mannena is celebrated with organized caterers from Tempio Pausania.
9:30pm – Live music.

Sunday, February 19

12pm – Corso Matteotti – King Giorgio’s bride Mannena enters the city.
3:30pm – The grand parade of floats, music and majorettes begins. During the parade King Giorgio and Mannena are married by the Mayor of Tempio Pausania.
7pm – Piazza Gallura – pre-judging of the floats is carried out, set against live music until 9:30pm.

Tuesday, February 21

3:30pm – The finale grand parade begins with music, dance troupes, majorettes, flag throwers. Final judging on floats and dance troupes are done throughout the parade. Winners are announced at the end.
7pm – Largo XXV Aprile – Grand finale of Carnival Tempio Pausania with fireworks and music.
10pm – Final salute to Carnival with live music.

For a complete line-up of events in Tempio Pausania please visit Carrasciali Timpiesu.

How do you define a good time? Is it with music or dance? Is singing in your repertoire? What if we combine all those ingredients and throw a six-day festival in honour of a dead King?

The party starts here:

The festival parade of masks and floats generally occurs before Lent. People of all ages and walks of life come out to celebrate the King of Carnival – King George (or Giorgio if you’re in Italy). Many of the ancient traditions have disappeared over the centuries, but one thing clearly stays the same – Carnevale Tempiese, The Carnival of Tempio Pausania.

Tempio Pausania is in the Gallura region of northern Sardinia and is the administrative capital (along with Olbia) making the province of Olbia-Tempio.

The 14,000 inhabitants know how to throw an impressive Carnival and have shown up by the thousands to pay homage (and party) in honour of the King.

In just a few weeks time people from all over Europe will take part in dance, costume and play, at one of Sardinia’s biggest celebrations, after brushing out the winter cobwebs and hailing in the new sun shine.

Continue reading →