Gotthard - Mountain Pass of Pioneers

The Gotthard is one of the most important Alpine passes in Europe today. We bring the rich history of the pass back to live.

Traders and pilgrims once crossed the pass on foot in about 30 hours from Flüelen, Switzerland, to Bellinzona, Italy. In the 19th century, the carriages of the Gotthard Post connected people in the north and south for the first time by transporting daily mail. Today, global warming poses major problems for the people living close to the Gotthard. Using a variety of methods, specialists are trying to mitigate its effects and better predict the long-term consequences. We journey through the exciting history of the pass – from the small route through the high mountains to the longest railway tunnel in the world.