If you decide to reach Sauris, called Zahre in the local idiom, you will be going up the narrow Lumiei valley, whose green basin is dominated by dolomite peaks and whose reflection you can see in the waters of the underlying lake which takes on different shades according to the seasons. This alpine village, dotted with huts and pastures, is located between 1000 and 1400 m of altitude. It is said that this German-speaking community was founded by settlers who came from Austria, who brought with them customs and traditions of their homeland.

The particular environmental conditions and the difficulties in connecting with neighboring valleys have allowed to maintain the traditional idiom, (a High German dialect is spoken in the valley), and also the traditional gastronomy and religious and popular festivals, more similar to the ones in northern countries rather that the ones in the rest of Italy. For example during Carnival, here we have as protagonists the Rölar, covered in soot and equipped with loud cowbells and the Kheirar, armed with a large broom.

A peculiarity of the Saurian landscape is represented by the architectural typologies, characterized by simple and functional elements. Also the two churches found in the valley are interesting: in Sauris di Sopra, the church of S. Lorenzo has a bell tower with a high spire covered with shingles. Inside you can admire an important altar of the sixteenth century, work of Michael Parth; while in the sanctuary of Sauris di Sotto, there is a precious altar with wooden doors carved, gilded and painted by Michael Parth from Brunico in 1524. Moreover you can also see the numerous ex voto of pilgrims who for centuries came up here to venerate S. Osvaldo, whose relic is kept here.

The name of Sauris is known thanks to its exquisite lightly smoked raw ham according to the recipe of the Sauran tradition. Ideal to accompany ham and local beer. The vastness of the alpine pastures allows to produce a tasty malga cheese, enriching the offer in the agri-food sector; the production of succulent small fruits and derivatives is also very popular. For gourmets, we invite you to taste the traditional products of Sauris during the famous summer events "Ham festival" and "Salty and mountain cheese festival”.