Sauze d'Oulx
Greetings, friends! Today I'll be talking to you about Sauze d'Oulx, a commune in the heart of the Val di Susa in Piedmont. Let's discover together its history, culture, and monuments.
Physical Geography
Sauze d'Oulx is situated at 1509 meters above sea level and is located in the upper Susa Valley. It is situated on the western slopes of Mount Genevris, which reaches 2536 m. The landscape of this area is truly unique and wonderful, with vast stretches of green meadows and mountain peaks serving as a backdrop.
Origins of the Name
The word ''sauze'' comes from the Latin ''salix'', which means ''willow''. This Latin root is attested to by the form ''Salice'' used in the past, in 1223.
History
The Sauze d'Oulx area was already inhabited in pre-Roman times, as evidenced by the remains of Celtic settlements. Over the centuries, the village was crossed by armies of Goths, Lombards, Burgundians, and Saracens in the 10th century.
Sauze d'Oulx has a long history that spans many different epochs. Between 1000 and 1343, it was part of the Dauphiné and then of the republic of Escartons. Later, it passed to the House of Savoy after the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.
During World War II, the village was conquered by the fascist regime, which renamed it Salice d'Ulzio and annexed it to the municipality of Oulx. However, after the end of the war, the village regained its administrative autonomy and resumed its original name.
Monuments and Places of Interest
The parish church of San Giovanni Battista is a beautiful structure dating back to the 16th century, with a pseudo-Romanesque architecture bell tower. Inside, there are numerous sacred art objects, including a baptismal font in green stone and an 18th-century wooden panels from the school of Mélezet.
In front of the church is the Tree of Liberty, which was planted in 1793 to celebrate the French Revolution. During the XX Winter Olympics, Sauze d'Oulx hosted the freestyle skiing competitions.
Symbols
The municipality's gonfalon is a white and blue split banner. The municipality's coat of arms, on the other hand, was granted in 1967 by the President of the Republic.
Dear friends, I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about Sauze d'Oulx. This village has a very interesting history and a cultural heritage that is worth discovering. If you are looking for a destination for your next vacation, I recommend visiting Sauze d'Oulx. You won't regret it!
