Non-French TidbitsSaint Bernard Pass

By Jim and Emmy Humberd

One year we crossed from Switzerland into Italy at the San Bernardo (Saint Bernard) Pass. There's a tunnel through the mountain up there somewhere, but we were going to drive over the very top. The entrance to the tunnel is quite far up the mountain, so even if we used the tunnel, it's quite a drive to get to Italy. Some distance beyond the tunnel entrance we saw a large cement structure protruding from the mountain. It was an airshaft to ventilate the tunnel.

As we climbed the mountain, the melody of bells of every note in several octaves filled the air, from field after field of grazing cows. The Swiss are great at this, but sometimes the poor cow has a bell so large she has a problem reaching the grass.

We were in fresh snow before we reached the top, and we ate brunch in the RV while parked next to the old abbey. From our mountain peak dining room there was a lovely view, with a large lake, a couple of buildings, the border crossing with Italy, and snow capped mountains beyond.

Saint Bernard of Menthon built a hospice at the top of this mountain in the 10th century, and since the 12th century, Augustinian monks - with the help of Saint Bernard dogs - have rescued stranded travelers.

At this mountaintop, near the border with Italy, we visited the old abbey. We saw pictures and read stories of the famous rescue dogs of years ago, and visited the kennel that held several large St. Bernard dogs, and enclosures that held half dozen puppies. The atmosphere, the surroundings and the equipment were just about, but not quite, what one would expect at this ancient, storied mountaintop.

The unexpected? In this thousand-year-old monastery the pans containing the dog food were Coca-Cola trays. (And we have pictures to prove that.)

Related Links:
Naturhistorisches Museum
History of the Grand St Bernard pass

Books by Jim and Emmy Humberd:
Invitation to France
Invitation to Germany
Invitation to Italy

French Video Immersion