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Devotion to Saint Efisio the Martyr is undoubtedly very much felt both in Cagliari and in the rest of Sardinia. There are several occasions on which the cult of the saint is linked to miracles attributed to him, solemn vows and specific historical events. Among these, 15 January is dedicated to the commemoration of his martyrdom. Although this event is less frequented by the general public, it remains significant for devotees and is supported by the historic Arciconfraternita del Gonfalone.
According to a known document, the “Passio Sancti Ephisii”, which tells of the martyrdom of the holy warrior, he was sent to Italy by the Emperor Diocletian to fight Christians, who were considered a threat to the political-religious harmony of the Empire. In Gaeta, after seeing a red cross appear on his hand, he embraced the faith he initially had to persecute, converting to Christianity. After his baptism, he began to fight in defence of his new faith, assisting many Christians. He later moved to Sardinia, but was captured by imperial troops. He was imprisoned in an underground prison and subjected to repeated torture. Refusing to deny his new faith, Efisio was sentenced to death on the orders of the Roman commander Flaianus and taken to Nora, where he was beheaded.
Martyrdom and the first procession in history
According to the “Passio”, the date of Efisio death would be 15 January 303, while some experts indicate 286. In any case, the line between history and legend is thin when it comes to such a strong and heartfelt popular devotion, and therefore 15 January is still considered to be the day of commemoration of the martyrdom. The first celebration dates back to 15 January 1564.
Every year, the Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone celebrates this day with several votive Eucharistic offerings, a solemn mass and, finally, the first procession in the Stampace district. In this first procession of the year, the beautiful simulacrum by sculptor Giuseppe Antonio Lonis is adorned with a coloured plume, a bow and red cuffs.
After the vow of 1793, when an appeal was made to Saint Efisio to defend against the French threat, the procession on 15 January also served to commemorate this miracle, with the transport of the simulacrum from Stampace to Castello, concluding with a solemn mass celebrated in the Cathedral. However, as time went by, it became apparent that the route was unsuitable in winter, characterised by unstable weather and intense cold. Therefore, due to the numerous complaints of the canons of the Metropolitan Chapter, who complained of getting their tunics dirty walking through the damp streets of the Castello district, it was decided in 1815 to move the commemoration of the 1793 vow to Angel Monday, a tradition that continues to this day.
The prison of Saint Efisio: an enigmatic hypogeum symbol of detention
It is an unmissable destination for devotees, as well as explorers and enthusiasts, during the Novenary and the various liturgical services celebrated in honour of the saint. This structure, commonly identified as a “prison”, now stands nine metres below street level. Excavated in the limestone boulder, it can be reached via a steep staircase starting at number 34 Via Sant'Efisio. The room has a quadrangular shape and irregular dimensions. Inside, the space is organised around two columns that were preserved during the excavation process, placed in the centre of the room; on the east wall, flanked by a small apse, is a marble altar, surrounded by 17th-century “azulejos”, which have been preserved in excellent condition.
The hypogeum dates back to the late Punic period and had various functions, although archaeologist Antonio Taramelli ruled out its role as a cistern, considering its internal conformation and the absence of impermeable mortar on the walls. He suggested, rather, that it was intended for the cult of the goddess Isis, basing his theory on a well dug in the floor, which would have housed the sacred waters of the Nile, propitious for initiation rituals.
The remarkable antiquity of the site was further corroborated by the discovery of some coins dating from the late Punic period and the 1st century AD.
Other scholars speculate that the hypogeum was used as a repository for quarrying materials, at a time later than the cults. It is difficult to establish whether those walls ever housed a primitive Christian community, later becoming a prison for the faithful and, later, also for Saint Efisio.
In the 17th century, as interest grew in the search for the relics of local saints and martyrs, some members of the Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone requested the religious authorities to inspect the hypogeum to discover the remains of other martyrs. In 1616, a burial excavated in the earthen floor was found, belonging to the martyr Edizio, a soldier of Saint Efisio.
Today, more than four hundred years later, the prison of Saint Efisio continues to be one of Cagliari's most fascinating and mysterious places, capable of telling a story of faith and expressing a deep bond between a martyr and his city.
Want to visit Cagliari and its surroundings? Take part in Roberta Carboni's guided tours!
Roberta Carboni has been a tourist guide and art historian for more than 10 years. She lives in Cagliari and is passionate about Sardinia, which she has loved so much, all her life, which is why she has chosen to tell its story through exclusive thematic tours. In this way, she contributes to making the island known not only to those who do not yet know it, but also to the Sardinians themselves. The tours take place both within Cagliari, i.e. in the historic centre and other parts of the city, and in the surroundings of the city, going also to the south and centre of Sardinia.
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