The beginning of the new year in Sardinia, and in Italy in general, is still in the Christmas celebration mood, which is finalized on January 6th with the arrival of Befana, a good witch who gives children sweets, to those who have been good, or coal to the naughty ones.
One of the oldest traditions is the lighting of St. Anthony’s bonfires, which take place on the night of January 16th in diverse places on the island and which also opens the carnival season. According to legend, Saint Anthony outwitted the underworld from which he brought a spark of fire, which was given to the people of the island, plagued by freezing temperatures. He thus brought to people in need the light and warmth, to preserve the sustenance. The symbol of the celebration is the fire, connecting the sacred and the secular, around which the inhabitants of the cities gather to exchange wine and food prepared for this festive occasion.
The weather in January is cold along the coast, often accompanied by strong winds and rain, with temperatures around 12 degrees. However, dry and sometimes sunny days prevail, which at lower altitudes creates ideal conditions for hiking and cycling. Inlands and at higher altitudes, the temperatures rise during the day rise to just a few degrees above zero, and often it snows as well. Snowshoeing tours on the highest mountains – La Marmora or Bruncu Spina – has been more and more popular lately.