Roman Great St. Bernard Pass

• The Great St. Bernard Pass is the third highest Road Pass in Switzerland with an elevation of 8,100 feet (2,469m). In Winter the snow in the Pass can lie up to 30 ft (10m) deep and temperatures can drop to -30C.
• The Pass is above the tree line, the rocks are covered in Lichen and Alpine flowers such as Forget-me-nots. The St Bernard’s Hospice Monastery became famous for the use of St. Bernard dogs in rescue operations.

Hannibal's Crossing of the Alps

• Roman name for the Pass was Peonninus Mons. It was also known as the grey alpes (Alpes Graie).
• Livy suggests this was unlikely to be the route Hannibal took to invade Italy in 218 BCE, as he probably crossed further to the south possibly using the Mont Genevre Pass.
• 100 BCE Ivrea was built to contain a cavalry unit, defending the invasion route over the pass into Italy.

Napoleon Bonaparte

• 2,000 years later, in May 1800 CE, Napoleon crossed the Alps with an army of 40,000 using the Great St. Bernard Pass. He was unopposed by the Austrian Garrison on the Italian side who watched in amazement.
• Napoleon achieved the crossing in May, by inserting 6,000 men per day through the Pass.

The Romans occupy the Pass

• In 25 BCE Marcus Terentius Varro Murena defeated the Salassi.
• Strabo states that 2,000 men were killed and 40,000 of the remaining population taken to Eporedia, (Ivrea) and sold into slavery.

Aosta and the Alpes Poenninae

• Murena then founded the fortified military town of Aosta (Augusta Praetoria Salassorum), and retired 3,000 Roman veterans there.
• Aosta became the Capital of the Province of Alpes Poenninae ruled by a Procurator, who controlled the Great St Bernard Pass.

Roman Sites in Italy

• Aosta
  • The Aosta Archaelogical Museum

• • Augusta Praetoria Salassorum –
  • The ruins of the Roman Castra (Fortress and town) located near the entrance of the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
  • The entire Roman Walls (6.4m high 2.75m thick at base) and 20 Towers some still intact, and four Gates:
  • The Porta Praetoria (Eastern Gate) is intact, as is also the South Gate.
  • The city was clearly built to defend the main road which was 10m wide and ran straight through the city from east to west.
  • Amphitheatre in the Monastery of San Catarina,
  • Theatre holding up to 4,000 spectators (circa 10ad)
  • Triumphal Arch of Augustus
  • Cemetery
  • Baths
  • Insulae
  • Roman Bridges:
    • Pont de Pierre, over the Buthier river at Aosta.
    • Pont d’Ael, 5 miles (8 km) west of Aosta.

Roman Sites in Switzerland

• Bourg Saint Pierre
  • A village near the Pass
  • Many fragments of the Temple of Jupiter incorporated into the buildings including the Roman Milestone XXIII
  • St Bernard’s Hospice Monastery Museum, founded by St Bernard in 1050 – Coins and votive offerings
  • Bronze statue of St Bernard (1905) on site of Roman Mansio at top of the Pass
  • Famous for Napoleon sending 40,000 troops through this Pass in May 1800, unopposed by an Austrian Garrison on the Italian side who watched in amazement. Napoleon executed the crossing in May, by inserting 6,000 men per day through the Pass.
  • Famous for the use of St. Bernard dogs in rescue operations
• Martigny (Octodurum)
  • Musee Gallo Romaine within the Fondation Pierre Gianadda Museum
  • Roman Amphitheatre
  • Temples
  • Thermal Baths

Roman Roads

• Via of the Alpes Poenniae:
  • Milan–Aosta–Roman Great St. Bernard Pass–Bourg Saint Pierre–Martigny–Lyon

Great St. Bernard Pass