Sappada: in the heart of the mountains, at the source of the Piave, a breathtaking landscape that amazes

Sappada is the highest town in the Friuli region, is located in the province of Belluno, although very close to Udine, and is a renowned summer and winter tourist resort. Here the Piave river rises and the Dolomites surround the town giving it a suggestive mountain panorama. The population is scattered in fifteen villages that occupy the entire basin. The houses and architecture reflect the first settlements of German-speaking and Austrian origin, tangible even in the language. The local dialect has in fact Austrian origins. Via San Marco is the main junction that connects all the villages, built by the Venetians of the Serenissima who came here for the precious spruce timber. Nine of the fifteen villages represent Old Sappada, with ancient buildings characteristic of the place in wood and bright and joyful colors. A tradition that is still preserved today but can be observed in the house-museum of peasant civilization and the Maestro Fontana Ethnographic Museum: local flora and fauna, traditional objects and clothes. Each hamlet has its own church, and the main one is the Granvilla hamlet with the archpriest church of Santa Margherita. A very characteristic event of the area is the Carnival, which takes place every year with three days of celebrations, events and parades. Sappada, however, first of all experienced the events of the First World War, since the front line was on the Piave river. As evidence of this, a sort of open-air museum has been recreated that traces those difficult years with reconstructions and original documents. Tourism is today the main source of livelihood. Here it is possible to practice winter sports such as skiing (in various specialties), or to go for walks, trekking, excursions. In addition, the place is also very suitable for welcoming families with attractions for the little ones.