St. Bernard Pass | schwingeninswitzerland

I love dogs, but I especially love big dogs. The St. Bernard (also known as St. Barnhardshund, Alpine Mastiff and Bernhardiner) is one of the world’s largest. They range from 25.5-27.5 inches ( 61-70 cm) and weigh 110-200 pounds (50-91 kg). The are most likely a cross between Tibetan Mastiffs with Great Danes, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Great Pyrenees. Initially, they had short hair; long hair coats collect icicles.

Augustinian Monks living in the treacherous St. Bernard Pass (the western route through the alps between Italy and Switzerland) bread the dogs. 8,000 feet above sea level, the pass is 49-miles long and is notorious for its changeable weather and high winds.

image from http://www.thorninpaw.com

The St. Bernard pass was well travelled before St. Bernard de Menthon founded the famous hospice in the Swiss Alps as a refuge for travelers crossing the treacherous passes between Switzerland and Italy around 1050. There are even remains of a Roman road there. If you were a pilgrim headed to Rome, this is a likely route you would have taken. You wouldn’t have been the only one. Napoleon famously used the pass to cross the alps to invade Italy in 1800.

Image from Stories About Animals on http://www.zookingdoms.com

In the 17th century, St. Bernards were used to rescue people from avalanches and other dangers in snowy alpine passes. Saint Bernards have many features that make them well adapted to this task. They can smell a person under many feet of snow. They can hear low-frequency sounds humans cannot, possibly alerting people to avalanches. Their broad chests helped clear paths through the snow. Their large paws helped spread out the weight and worked like snowshoes to keep them on top of the snow. Their large paws helped them dig through the snow. Upon finding someone, they lie on top them to provide warmth.

The most famous rescuer was Barry (1800-1812). He is credited with saving the lives of more than 40 people. Today, Foundation Barry (named after the famous pooch) works to educate people about and preserve the breed. They also do alpine hikes with the pups! Both Foundation Barry and the St. Bernard Museum are located in in Martingy, a village down the mountain from the pass. Both have the adorable pups on site.

Bellinzona is probably Switzerland’s most Italianate town. Therefore, it is not surprising that it has tons of churches. Being the idiot that I am, I was still surprised that such a small town had so many. Being a trading center, Bellinzona drew people from all over, including religious folk. There are many churches and convents in the area. The local tourist office has even developed a walking tour that covers some of the highlights.

Piazza Collegiata (also known as Piazza Grande) is one of Bellinzona’s center squares, When you step into Piazza Collegiata, your eyes are drawn to its elegant, imposing Renaissance church. Its rich baroque interior is incredibly ornate. Perhaps because it isn’t very large, the Collegiata dei Ss. Pietro e Stefano somehow manages to be intimate, even cheerful.

Dating from 1424, was largely rebuilt by Tommaso Rodari from Maroggia. He was the master builder of Italy’s Como Cathedral. Just around the corner, toward the path to Montebello, you pass ancient church buildings.

The 14th century oratory of San Rocco is known for its frescos of St. Christopher and the Virgin Mary with Christ. These frescos are 20th century restorations, but the Chiesa di San Biagio has some originals. The Church of San Biagio in Ravecchia, known as the red church, also has frescos.

The walk from Castello di Montebello to Castello di Sasso Corbaro provides a stunning view of the Chapel of San Sebastian (Chiesa San Sebastiano). On a hilltop with the alps derriere and the vineyards in front, it is sunning.