Averau Mountain Hut
Our history
Family, mountaineering and hospitality
It all began on August 10, 1874 when Santo Siorpaes reached the top of Mount Averau.
The exploits of Santo Siorpaes, one of the greatest mountain guides of the time and author of many first ascents in the most famous peaks of the Dolomites, are located between 1864 and 1881 and among them there are about thirty new routes of which 28 “absolute first ascents”, not only in the valley of Ampezzo or in the surrounding valleys, but also outside the usual territory. Mountaineer Julius Meurer reports that in 1878 Santo touched the eleventh peak above 3000 m above
The family started the restaurant business with Giovanni. He followed in the footsteps of his parent Santo and his brother Pietro, at twenty-one was allowed to practice as a professional mountain guide (1890). Thus begins a robust activity in the mountains, characterized by twenty first ascents and several repetitions of numerous classic itineraries then in vogue on the Dolomites Ampezzane and the surrounding area. During this period Giovanni opened many routes: the most famous is undoubtedly the route Dimai (August 1, 1901 A.Dimai, G.Siorpaes, A.Verzi, I. and R.von Eötvös) on the south wall of the Tofana di Rozes. Thanks to the savings obtained by the profession of Alpina Guide, in the early twentieth century he was able to build a hotel in Cimabanche.
During the First World War, the hotel was destroyed and the family moved to Innsbruck far away from the conflict. Returning to Italy at the end of the war and thanks to compensation received for hotel’s loss, the family takes over some hotel activities in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
In 1939, Eugenio “Tati” Siorpaes,son of Giovanni, decides to move with the whole family (his wife Josephine and nine children) to Salzburg.
At the end of World War the family returned to Cortina. Ado, Eugenio’s second son, and his wife Augusta Pansolin inaugurated Rio Gere Restaurant in 1957, still run by his descendants.
In 1980 Sandro Siorpaes,son of Ado, and his wife Paola De Lorenzi acquire the Averau Mountain Hut from the Finazzer family. Opened in 1982, the Alpine Hut is now managed with love and perseverance also by their sons Matteo and Margot.
A fresco on the terrace wall is dedicated to Santo and his exploits, where he greets customers and admire the magnificent panorama of its Dolomites.
“A mighty chamois hunter; an ex-soldier in the Austrian army, and now a custode of forests, and local inspector of roads; an active, eager fellow, brown as a berry, with honesty written in his face, and an open vivacious manner that won our liking at first sight.”
Amelia B. Edwards – 1872
Altitude in meters
Years of history
Seating
Beds
Where it all began
The Hut
Late '800
The foundation
The first building in the area was built in the late 1800s. It is a simple single-room wooden house with no foundations.
1903
The first hut
In 1903 the Finazzer family built a two-storey masonry structure with a low attic, equipped with four 8-bed rooms.
The refuge was opened under the German name Nuvolaupaβhütte (Nuvolau Fork Hut).
1916
The Headquarters and the Field Hospital
Photo: Prof. Giacomel’s archive
In 1916, during the First World War,the Refuge was occupied by theItalian Army,which made it its headquarters on the front of the 5 Torri, sheltered from the artillery of Mount Lagazuoi.
Around the Refuge, a field hospital was set up for first aid and other small wooden buildings for logistical purposes.
End of World War I
The re-opening of the Nuvolaupaβhütte
After the First World War, the property returned to the Finazzer family,which reopened the hut in the summer, always as Nuvolaupa,βbut was razed in the following years.
1974
Reconstruction
In 1974 with the development of the Giau Pass area, the Finazzer family began work on rebuilding the hut.
1980
Averau Mountain Hut
In 1980 the Siorpaes family (Sandro and Paola) bought the unfinished building by brothers Walter and Osvaldo Finazzer and in 1982 the refuge was reopened under the name of Rifugio Averau.
2010
The second reconstruction
Later, Sandro and Paola carried out other renovations in 1985 and 1988. But 2010 is the crucial year when the Hut is definitively dismantled and rebuilt to become the splendor we know today.
2020
Fate turns the tables
In August 2020, fate turns the tables and takes our beloved Paola away.
An unbridgeable loss, only relieved by the indelible memory and energy she still conveys.
2022
Our first 40 years
It was wonderful to celebrate this important milestone together with lifelong friends and loyal customers.
We have been swept away by a wave full of love and affection and are ready for another 40 years together with you!