Sauris Location Guide

Located in the marvellous Lumiei valley, more than 1200 meters above sea level, Sauris is the highest municipality in Friuli, Italy. The valley was a cultural and linguistic island until 1930, when the first road was built connecting it to the outside world. According to popular legend, Sauris was established by two German soldiers who fled their homeland and took refuge in this isolated valley. German influences are seen in the beautiful style of Sauris’ buildings, built with stone on the ground floor level, whilst the top part is built entirely from wood.

Events at Sauris

Carnival and the Night of the Lanterns – February
The carnival is one of the oldest celebrations in the Alps and has a medieval flavour: locals wear traditional wooden masks and, at nightfall, there is a lantern-lit procession animated by singing and dancing.

Sauris Superbike – June
A long distance cross-country mountain bike race spanning 84km with a climb of 3,200 metres. There are also 2 more classic circuits followed by a bike skill race for young people and children.

Zahrarmonie – July
An international music festival at high altitude where the artists, with their instruments slung over their shoulder, join the audience on walks to some of the most stunning wildlife spots in Sauris, known as Angeli Selvaggi (Wild Angels).

Christmas Fair – December
Stalls are set up in the squares, streets and ancient hamlets of Sauris. Vin brulé (warm sweet wine), music, demonstrations of local crafts and a sleigh ride with Father Christmas for the children.

Sauris's typical food

Ham
Sauris has always been linked to its delicious cured ham, and its producers still follow the ancient techniques of smoking ham today. The ham is lightly smoked over beech wood gathered from the local woods and spiced with juniper and herbs. You can taste the local ham at the Prosciutto Festival, in July.

Cheese
Sauris continues to produce good quality cheese, thanks to its rich pasture grass and high quality standards that have remained unchanged through the years. You can taste the local cheese at the Cheese Festival, in August.

Beer
Sauris produces a handcrafted, high-quality wholemeal beer which is neither pasteurised nor filtered. This unusual beer is brewed using the properties of the water which bubbles up cool and fresh from the Sauris springs.

Top 10 Thing to see and do

1. Visit the Santuary of Saint Osvaldo
2. Enjoy the thrill of mountain biking during the winter
3. Enjoy a ride in a Quad car in the mountains
4. Take part in the Carnival and wear an ‘ugly’ mask
5. Taste some of the local produce at the many local malgas
6. Enjoy an evening out at the Zahrarmonie music festival
7. Gorge yourself with the local smoked ham
8. Go canoeing on the beautiful emerald lake in Sauris
9. Take a ride on Father Christmas’ sleigh during the Christmas fair
10. Visit the ethnography centre