Cabras celebrates Corsa degli Scalzi barefoot procession

Approximately 900 men are participating in the Corsa degli Scalzi, a traditional barefoot procession in Cabras, Sardinia, to honor San Salvatore. The ritual involves running roughly seven to eight kilometers from the Church of Santa Maria Assunta to the village of San Salvatore.

The event begins with a 6:00 AM Mass presided over by Archbishop Roberto Carboni. Following the service, the simulacrum of the saint will be prepared for the journey. The runners are expected to depart around 7:30 AM and arrive at the sanctuary approximately one hour later.

According to local tradition, the rite commemorates an ancient feat by fishermen and farmers who protected the statue from Saracen incursions by running barefoot with laurel branches tied to their ankles to create dust clouds, tricking enemies into believing they were a much larger force. The community views the event as a profound act of devotion and identity that has been passed down through generations for over four centuries.