The St. Gotthard Pass

• MP3 file

The St. Gotthard Pass is one of Europe’s great North-South links. Today, there’s a rail and road tunnel through the St. Gotthard massif, providing a year-round weatherproof connection between German-speaking northern Switzerland and the Italian-speaking South. But for centuries prior to that, the Pass over the mountains was the only route available – a vital strategic point that was heavily defended. Swiss Radio International’s Malcolm Shearmur has been there.