Sauris

19.12.2022 - Sauris has been named Best Tourism Villages 2022 by the UNWTO, United Nation World Tourism Organization. Chosen by the Ministry of Tourism to represent Italy in the second edition of the "Best Tourism Villages", the United Nations initiative that rewards places where tourism preserves local traditions and culture, safeguarding the environment and biodiversity, Sauris was chosen and is now among the 32 Best Tourism Village destinations in the world.

the alpine village

Sauris, Zahre in the local language, can be reached going up the narrow, green Lumiei valley, which is dominated by the Dolomite summits and is reflected in the waters of the lake that changes colour according to the season.
This "pearl" in the Alps, rich in malghe (shepherd's huts) and pastures, is situated between 1000 and 1400 metres of height. They say that this German-speaking community was founded by farmers coming from Austria, who brought the usages and customs of their land of origin.

Respect for traditions

The peculiar environmental conditions and the difficulties of connection with the bordering towns have allowed to keep its traditions unchanged both in the language - a high-German dialect - and in the gastronomy and in the religious feasts and folk festivals, such as the Carnival, whose protagonists are the Rölar, covered in soot and carrying noisy bells, and the Kheirar, who carries a big broom.

Architecture

A peculiarity of the landscape of Sauris consists of its architecture, characterized by simple and functional elements. Of great interest are the two churches: in Sauris di Sopra the San Lorenzo church has a bell tower with a high cusp covered in shingles, inside it one can admire an important sixteenth-century altar by Michael Parth; the sanctuary of Sauris di Sotto preserves a precious altar with carved wooden doors, gilded and painted by Michael Parth from Bruneck in 1524. There are many votive offerings of the pilgrims who for centuries have come here to worship Saint Oswald, a relic of whom is preserved here.

Products of Sauris

The name of Sauris is linked to that of its delicious raw ham, slightly smoked according to a traditional recipe. The local beer is perfect to wash the ham down. The wideness of the Alpine pastures allows to produce the tasty malga cheese, enriching the offer in the agri-food sector; much appreciated is also the production of juicy berries and their by-products; gourmets are invited to taste the products of Sauris during the famous summer events "Ham festival" and "Salty and malga cheese festival".