The Great St. Bernard Pass connects Switzerland to Italy. At 2,473 metres, it is the highest
mountain pass in Europe. The famous monastery of St. Bernard, which was founded in eleventh
century, lies about a mile away. For hundreds of years, St. Bernard dogs have saved the lives
of travellers crossing the dangerous Pass. These friendly dogs, which were first brought from
Asia, were used as watchdogs even in Roman times. Now that a tunnel has been built through the
mountains, the Pass is less dangerous, but each year, the dogs are still sent out into the snow
whenever a traveller is in difficulty. Despite the new tunnel, there are still a few people who
rashly attempt to cross the Pass on foot.
During the summer months, the monastery is very busy, for it is visited by thousands of people
who cross the Pass in cars. As there are so many people about, the dogs have to be kept in a
special enclosure. In winter, however, life at the monastery is quite different. The temperature
drops to -30℃ and very few people attempt to cross the Pass. The monks prefer winter to summer of
they have more privacy. The dogs have greater freedom, too, for they are allowed to wander outside
their enclosure. The only regular visitors to the monastery in winter are parties of skiers who go
there at Christmas and Easter. These young people, who love the peace of mountains, always receive
a warm welcome at St. Bernard's monastery.