The best walks and hikes around Lake Lucendro

„Santa Barbara auf dem St. Gotthard“ refers to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, whose veneration played a central role throughout the Gotthard Massif – especially during the construction of the tunnels.

The old hospice on the Gotthard Pass was converted and extended into a 3-star hotel between 2008 and 2010. Architects Miller & Maranta and civil engineers Conzett Bronzini Gartmann created, in close collaboration, a modern structure that appears to have always existed in this location. It integrates naturally into the spatial and historical context, and its simplicity is reflected in the architecture and the supporting structure.

This is probably the symbol of this mythical pass.

The Gotthard Pass is one of Switzerland's most famous and historic Alpine passes. Located at an altitude of 2,106 meters above sea level in the Lepontine Alps, it connects Central Europe to Southern Europe. Specifically, it serves as a direct road link between the Canton of Ticino (Airolo) and the Canton of Uri (Hospental). The summit and the massif can be crossed in various ways depending on travel needs: The New Pass Road: This is the modern, paved road variant, scenic and smooth during the summer months. La Tremola: The famous historic southern slope, characterized by 24 hairpin bends paved with porphyry, much loved by cyclists, motorcyclists, and nostalgics. The Road Tunnel (A2): The 16.9 km long motorway tunnel, open all year round, fast but often subject to traffic and queues. The Railway Tunnels: Including the pioneering tunnel of 1882 and the modern Gotthard Base Tunnel, at very high speed.

Eagle Monument, Passo del S. Gottardo A monument with two eagles stands on the Gotthard Pass. It is dedicated to Adrien Guex, a pilot from Vaud who crashed in 1928 "in the service of his country," and to all pilots who died serving their homeland – Switzerland. Contact: Kees van Tilburg, Kostverlorenweg 15, 1183TM Amstelveen, The Netherlands https://www.europeana.eu/en/item/1236/item_ZTWV56O4H6SA2M3EZOFV5LSKNZU7EUAN

Cappella di San Gottardo - Chapel at the Gotthard Hospice The St. Gotthard Pass was first used as a pass starting in the 13th century, and the hospice, built at the behest of Milanese Archbishop Galdino (1171), also dates from this period. A chapel was built alongside the hospice on the site of a small church dating back to the 9th/10th century. It was rebuilt towards the end of the 18th century at the instigation of the Capuchins, who managed the hospice until 1799. Text / Source: Agenzia turistica ticinese SA https://www.ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Kapelle-beim-Gotthard-Hospiz/4741.html#:~:text=Der%20Sankt%20Gotthard%20wur de%20as%20Pass%C3%BCtransition%20first%20from,century%20,%20a%20chapel%20was%20built%20side%20of%20hospice%20.

St. Gotthard Pass The Gotthard Pass divides waterways and connects various cultural and linguistic areas. Its significance as an "Alpine transversal" began at the beginning of the 13th century with the construction of the legendary Devil's Bridge in the Schöllenen Gorge. For many centuries, trade caravans (trading cattle and cheese for grain, wine, rice, and salt), mercenaries, messengers, and even entire armies crossed the pass. Between 1818 and 1836, the canton of Uri, with the help of other cantons, expanded the pass road, thus achieving its predominance among Swiss Alpine passes. The Gotthard Pass has significantly shaped the economy and culture of Central Switzerland for centuries. Until the opening of the Gotthard Railway in 1882, the Gotthard Pass was also used in winter. Dozens of roadmen and shovel workers were employed for this purpose. In 1922, the post bus replaced the stagecoach, and with the introduction of gasoline duties in 1923, the expansion of the pass roads began, continuing to this day. The old pass road on the south side, the Tremola between the top of the pass and Airolo, is still preserved and passable. This stretch of road recalls more tranquil journeys over the Gotthard that occurred not so long ago. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Gotthard Pass was "condensed" into a myth, a symbol of Switzerland's independence, unity, and identity. Text / Source: Interest Group for Alpine Passes IAP, PO Box 11, 6491 Realp https://alpen-paesse.ch/de/alpenpaesse/gotthardpass

St. Gotthard Pass The Gotthard Pass divides waterways and connects various cultural and linguistic areas. Its significance as an "Alpine transversal" began at the beginning of the 13th century with the construction of the legendary Devil's Bridge in the Schöllenen Gorge. For many centuries, trade caravans (trading cattle and cheese for grain, wine, rice, and salt), mercenaries, messengers, and even entire armies crossed the pass. Between 1818 and 1836, the canton of Uri, with the help of other cantons, expanded the pass road, thus achieving its predominance among Swiss Alpine passes. The Gotthard Pass has significantly shaped the economy and culture of Central Switzerland for centuries. Until the opening of the Gotthard Railway in 1882, the Gotthard Pass was also used in winter. Dozens of roadmen and shovel workers were employed for this purpose. In 1922, the post bus replaced the stagecoach, and with the introduction of gasoline duties in 1923, the expansion of the pass roads began, continuing to this day. The old pass road on the south side, the Tremola between the top of the pass and Airolo, is still preserved and passable. This stretch of road recalls more tranquil journeys over the Gotthard that occurred not so long ago. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Gotthard Pass was "condensed" into a myth, a symbol of Switzerland's independence, unity, and identity. Text / Source: Interest Group for Alpine Passes IAP, PO Box 11, 6491 Realp https://alpen-paesse.ch/de/alpenpaesse/gotthardpass