As the highest mountain pass in Europe, the Great St. Bernard Pass which rises to a
height of 2,473 meters connects Switzerland and Italy. Founded in the eleventh centry,
the St. Bernard monstery lies about a mile away. Each year the St. Bernard monstery
will send their dogs to save the travellers who will still attempt to cross the dangerous
pass on foot. These dogs which were first brought from Asia were used as watch dogs even in Roman times. Now that the pass is less dangerous because a new tunnel has been built through the mountains. During the summer months, both the monks and
dogs have litte freedom as thousands of people cross the pass in cars. In winter,
however,only parties of skiers pay regular visits at the St. Bernard monastery at
Christmas and Easter because the temperature drops to -30° and there are fewer
people about. Therefore the monks are able to enjoy more privacy and the dogs are
allowed to wander outside their enclosure.
