Sappada
An ancient culture in a fairy-tale atmosphere
- Sappada (UD)
- 1245 m
- Inhabitants: 1300
About this place
Sappada stands at 1245 m in the valley of the same name, along the course of the Piave River, guarded by the Dolomites and Carnic Alps and surrounded by thick forests. Its origin seems to date back to the 11th century, when some families moved to this area from Austria, clearing it and making it cultivable, and founding Sappada, “Plodn” in Sappadin. Sappada, in fact, is a linguistic island, in which the Italian language and Sappadino, a German-speaking language still used fluently by the inhabitants, coexist. This language has remained unchanged for centuries, as have other traditions unique to this town: the characteristic wooden houses, local handicrafts, charcuterie and cheese production, and the famous Sappada Carnival. Visiting Sappada means overlooking a charming village with precious traditions and a fairy-tale atmosphere.
Why visit
01.
The architecture of houses
Typical houses are built with the Blockbau system, that is, with horizontally stacked beams resting on a stone plinth. They can be admired at Sappada Antica and Cima Sappada.
02.
The surrounding landscape
Sappada is located in a spectacular corner of Friuli, framed by the Dolomites and the Carnic Alps and surrounded on one side by coniferous forests and on the other by wide fields and pastures.
03.
365 days a year
Sappada is magnificent in winter and extraordinary in summer. Between snow and skiing or summer hiking and walking, what remains indelible is to realize them in the unaltered natural environment and charming atmosphere of the ancient village.
What to see and do in Sappada
A visit to Sappada certainly starts with a walk through the 15 villages that follow one another. It is very fascinating to observe the typical houses, which are always extremely well-kept and decorated with paintings and sculptures. In summer, they are also adorned with flower pots. Among the streets are businesses, including bars and restaurants where you can sample typical Sappada cuisine and local products: jams, herbs, syrups, cold cuts, and cheeses. The Calvary Trail, a path with 14 illuminated chapels corresponding to the Stations of the Cross, starts from the Mühlbach hamlet. Not to be missed is the Sappada Carnival, the “Vosenocht,” with its main character, the “Rollate.” Unforgettable visit to the waterfalls in the evening, when the path is illuminated.
- The center of Sappada
- The chairlift
- Olbe Lakes
- The Waterfall Trail
- The Calvary Trail
- Walking and hiking
- Ski
- Bicycle
- The Rifugio
- The Aquatona Gorge
- The Sesis Valley
Sappada
The ancient hamlets of Sappada
Sappada consists of 15 ancient villages erected in the sunny part of the valley. The characteristic wooden houses, the “Haus,” are built with the system of interlocking beams called Blockbau. In summer, houses are adorned with colorful flowering balconies. Other typical elements can be seen in the village: the “Trok” fountains, “Maindl” chapels and “Kraize” crucifixes.
OLD SAPPADA
Old Sappada consists of the nine ancient hamlets of Pill, Mühlbach, Cottern, Hoffe, Fontana, Kratten, Soravia, Ecche and Puiche. Here you can admire the Blockhaus, typical Sappada houses.
Since 2017 Sappada Vecchia has been included among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.
CIMA SAPPADA
Also very characteristic is the Cima Sappada hamlet with its old Dairy, Smokehouse and wooden Blockhouses dating back to the 19th century. Here you can visit the Ethnographic Museum, which traces the history of the Sappada community and where carnival masks are on display.
The Miravalle-Olbe chairlift departs from Cima Sapadda.
Sappada in summer
Sappada in the good season is verdant. So what could be better than being outdoors and enjoying the climate at 1245 m?
WHAT TO DO.
Stroll through the ancient villages; take the chairlift and walk to the Olbe lakes; hike in the Sesis Valley to the Rifugio Sorgenti del Piave or ride a bicycle on one of the many trails; walk the Calvario and Cascatelle trails; venture over the Tibetan bridge overlooking the Acquatona Gorge; walk or drive to the many mountain refuges.
Sappada in winter
As green in summer as white in winter. There is no shortage of snow in Sappada. So why not enjoy it?
WHAT TO DO.
Winter for the little ones is Nevelandia, a small amusement park with inflatables, toboggans, ice skating and a toy train. For adults, there is no shortage of choice between alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and ski touring. For climbers there are many ice falls. For those not involved in sports, there are walks or hikes in the snow and easy snowshoeing.
Points of interest in Sappada
Contact the infopoint
Through this section you can contact the Sappada infopoint directly for more tourist information. Explorer FVG does not handle responses, nor is it responsible for the information exchanged in these conversations.
For information:
Sappada InfoPoint
c/o Borgata Bach, 9
33012 Sappada (UD)
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