The Gremi

Crafts and dedication

The descendants of the Sardinian ancient guilds of arts and crafts are called gremi. The gremi participating in Sassari’s Descent of the Candelieri are eleven now. In the procession on August 14th they parade with their wooden candle, bearing typical craft decorations. Every gremio has a patron saint and a chapel in which to celebrate the religious rites. The word comes from the Spanish gremios.

Butchers

Their candlestick is cream and gold-colored. The patron saint, San Maurizio, is depicted on the front of the trunk. Further below the tools of the trade are painted: the knife and the cleaver. Renderings of San Bartolomeo and Madonna del Rimedio can be seen on the capital. The Gremio’s flag is burgundy in color.

Blacksmiths

Their candlestick is red. The symbols of the trade are the anvil, the hammer and the compass which can be seen on the capital and on the back part of the trunk. Saint Eligio, surrounded by golden friezes, is painted on the front end of the pillar. The emblem of Sassari, a tower with its two climbing griffon vultures, is depicted on the base.

Wayfarers

They are the ancient carriers and peddlers. Their candlestick dates back to the second half of the 18th century. Brick-red is the predominant color, and an image of the Madonna del Buon Cammino plus a cherub bearing a drapery are painted on the trunk.

Stonecutters

They are the ancient masters who cut and worked the stone. Their candlestick was built in 1955. Ivory-white in color, the Madonna della Salute is depicted on the front end of the trunk.

Carpenters

Their candlestick was built in 1921 by the Clemente brothers, prominent furniture-makers from Sassari. The emblems of the trade are carved on the trunk, whereas an image of San Giuseppe, their patron saint, is on the capital.

Farmers

Also known as diggers, their guild was established in 1803 after separating from the Massai ( = landowners). In ancient times the candlestick belonged to the Gremio dei Pastori (Gremio of the Shepherds, now extinct). The tools of the trade and an image of San Giovanni Battista baptizing Jesus are depicted on the front of the trunk.

Cobblers

The symbols of the trade are the shears, the hammer and the pincers. The banner is dark red. Their patron saint is Santa Lucia. The candlestick, consisting of four small columns, was built in 1924 to replace the older and unusable one. It is white and depicts the turritano martyrs Gavino, Proto and Gianuario on the front side.

Greengrocers

They recall Sassari’s agricultural origins and their symbols are tied to their trade. The flag is green and they worship the Madonna di Valverde as their patron saint. The current candlestick, made in 1988, is a copy of the original one from the late 16th century.

Bricklayers

Their symbols are the triangle, the hammer and the compass; they worship the Madonna degli Angeli as their patron saint. The banner is sky blue. On the candle’s trunk are depicted three little angels on a pedestal holding the symbols of the trade in their hands. Two cherubs are painted on the capital.

Tailors

Scissors are their symbol. The banner is in golden yellow damask fabric and the patron saint is the Madonna of Monserrat. The candlestick differs from the others because of its baroque style with a spiral design along the top part of the trunk. Further below you can find four medallions depicting the Madonna of Monserrat, San Gavino, San Omobono and the Beato Francesco Zirano. A brazier burns on the top.

Landowners

They were the big landowners, dedicated to grains. The wheat stands out among the symbols; the banner is white and the Madonna della Grazie is their patron saint. The candlestick pillar is garnished with floral motifs and the image of the Madonna delle Grazie appears on the front.