Travel Guide Sappada

Sappada is a German-speaking island surrounded by Ladin territories, and composed of 15 villages that retain the charm of yesteryear, including Sappada Vecchia and Cima Sappada. The architectural landscape is picturesque, the houses of the village are made of wood and next to them there is still a hay barn and a stable. In Sappada and its surroundings there is a multitude of small churches that bear witness to a rather deep-rooted religiosity. In Borgata Mühlbach there is a Via Crucis with 13 small chapels (19th century). Sappada is situated in the Val Comelico, on the border with Austria. This area is surrounded by majestic mountains, such as Mount Peralba, from which the river Piave rises, a defensive rampart during the First World War. The springs of the Piave, in the Val Sesis, at an altitude of 1,830 m, are a magnificent natural area of steep waterfalls, forests and green meadows in which the fortifications and trenches, the scene of battles, are preserved. From the villages of the Val Comelico, it is possible to take walks which, alongside streams and torrents, will take you to the heart of magnificent fir forests, such as the one in the Val Vosdende. The name of this valley comes from the Latin vallis vivenda, meaning "the valley that deserves to be seen": a real oasis of six thousand hectares of coniferous forests, to be explored on foot or on horseback The carnival of Sappada. Traditions are very strong in Sappada, which is also famous for its carnival. It takes place on the three Sundays before Lent. Each Sunday is dedicated to one of the categories of citizens who used to live in Sappada: the poor, the peasants and the lords. All performances are accompanied by the "Rollate", the traditional mask of Sappada. This figure wears a large fur coat, horizontally striped trousers, a wooden mask with moustaches and two large bells. Not to be missed if you are in the area at that time