History at the Gotthard Pass
Overview
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Intro
The Gotthard Pass is the “King of Mountain Passes”. Cultures and language regions meet at the gateway to the south of Switzerland. An excursion up the pass allows visitors to immerse themselves in a historic place and discover once-secret tunnels in the Sasso San Gottardo. The experience is rounded off with a culinary treat at the hospice.
People travelling on the north-south axis usually go through the tunnel by train or car, but it is worth avoiding the traffic jams leading up to the tunnel entrances for a change. There are two ways to get to the top of the pass by car or bike: either on the Tremola Roman cobblestone road, the longest historical monument in Switzerland with its striking hairpin bends, or via the newer mountain pass road. The Gotthard Pass is also easily accessible by public transport. The PostBus takes visitors up the pass several times a day from Airolo and Andermatt.
The top of the pass is some 2,106m above sea level. The Alpine crossing forms a weather, water and cultural divide between north and south and has fascinated those passing through for centuries. In the Museo Nazionale del San Gottardo, guests are immersed in the history of the international transport route. A visit offers a lively and varied insight into the economic, strategic, political and cultural importance of the pass
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The museum visit is followed by a short walk around Lago della Piazza. At the other end of the lake is the entrance to the once top-secret Gotthard fortress Sasso San Gottardo. Deep inside the mountain lies a hidden world that can be discovered on a tour guiding visitors through tunnels and caverns stretching over three kilometres. There is a sense of history at every turn here: visitors can marvel at hidden ammunition magazines, army barracks, gun emplacements, a spectacular viewing platform and a chamber of wonders revealing treasures made of rock crystals.
Before finishing with a meal at the Ospizio San Gottardo, it is worth stopping off at the Grand Tour of Switzerland photo spot. The vantage point offers a wonderful view over the Tremola with its 24 hairpin bends; it never fails to impress. The day is rounded off with a Ticino platter on the terrace of the Ospizio. Those who don’t want to go home just yet can find somewhere to stay for the night in one of the guesthouses. Whether a simple room in the Albergo or a comfortable room in the recently renovated Ospizio, an overnight stay on the Gotthard Pass is a unique experience.
General information
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Adventure, Education, Nature
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Discover the surroundings
Contact
Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
Piazza Collegiata
6500
Bellinzona
Switzerland
Phone
+41 (0)91 825 21 31
Fax +41 (0)91 821 41 20
bellinzona@bellinzonaevalli.ch
bellinzonaevalli.ch
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