Sauris
Welcome to Sauris: a gem in the Friulian mountains
Sauris is a municipality located in the mountainous region of Carnia, in Val Lumiei. Considered a German-speaking linguistic island, it is part of the club of authentic villages of Italy and the Committee of historical Germanic linguistic islands in Italy. With a population of about 390 inhabitants, Sauris is one of the hidden treasures of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
The territory of Sauris
Sauris is surrounded by the Sauris Mountains, whose main peaks are Col Gentile, Monte Tarondon, Monte Pieltinis, Crodon di Tiarfin, Monte Bìvera, Monte Zauf and Monte Tinisa. Among its hamlets are Lateis, La Maina and Velt. In this area, one of the largest artificial lakes in Friuli, Lake Sauris, was created by the damming of the Lumiei stream.
The history of Sauris
According to legend, the community of Sauris was founded around the 13th-14th century by two German soldiers who, tired of the war, fled their country and took refuge in this isolated and difficult valley. However, it seems that immigration actually took place from Lesachtal and Val Pusteria in the 13th century. The first document attesting to the existence of the location dates back to 1280, and only one document from 1318 in which Sauris is mentioned has been preserved.
During World War II, between 1941 and 1948, the Val Lumiei hydroelectric plant and the related Sauris dam were built. The hamlet of La Maina was submerged by the artificial Lake Sauris, and the ruins remain underwater. 300 New Zealand prisoners of war were also involved in the construction of the plant.
Monuments and places of interest
Sauris is a municipality rich in monuments and places of interest. The Church of Sant'Osvaldo in Sauris di Sotto and the Church of San Lorenzo Martire in Sauris di Sopra are two important examples of local religious architecture.
The population and the languages spoken in Sauris
The population of Sauris speaks both Italian and Friulian, but mostly the typical local German dialect, called "Saurano". This language has archaic features compared to the Carinthian dialects to which it is connected.
Conclusions
Sauris is a hidden gem in the Friulian mountains, with a history dating back to the 13th century and a population that speaks an archaic German language. Its territory has nothing to envy from other well-known mountain locations, with its lakes, mountains, and valleys that offer breathtaking landscapes. If you are looking for a unique and authentic destination, do not miss the opportunity to visit Sauris.
