Impressions of Switzerland, Part 2: Over the Saint Gotthard mountain
Last week, I took a trip to one of my favorite parts of the country, the Ticino, the southern and Italian part of the country. You can get there by train or car. The train takes you through a 9-mile (15 km) tunnel underneath the Swiss Alps from Göschenen on the Swiss German side to Airolo on the Swiss Italian side. A new railway tunnel is being constructed at the moment and expected to be finished in 2016. It will be the longest railway tunnel in the world with a total length (including tunnels, shafts, and passages) of 94.3 miles (151.84 km). By car you can either drive through the road tunnel (with its 10.5 miles or 16.9 km, it is the third longest car tunnel in the world) or you can cross the St. Gotthard Pass (6909 ft., 2106 m high), the mountain that divides and connects the German and the Italian part of the country.
My favorite way to get from north to south or vice versa is either by train, or, if the weather permits, by car over the St. Gotthard Pass (the mountain is closed during winter due to heavy snow). Named after Saint Gotthard, the Bishop of Hildesheim, this mountain has fascinated me since childhood, when my father drove my mother and me over the pass for the first time in his small VW bug. The history of Saint Gotthard and its importance as a route that connects the north and south of the continent dates back to Roman times. For those who are interested, here is a link to a short overview of its history.
St. Gotthard is a rough and, to me, mysterious, mountain. Even during the hottest days in summer, a cold breeze blows on top and if you get caught in a rain or snow storm, beware! The landscape is rocky, full of granite and gneiss. There is a museum, a chapel, a couple of modest but good restaurants and, in summer, a stand with barbecued sausages next to a beautiful lake.
I drove across the pass to the south of the country during a gorgeous, sunny day and the mountain showed its friendly face. Here are a few pictures.
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| A cup of coffee and a snack to prepare for the drive through the lengthy tunnel or over the mountain |
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| View from the northern side |
The drive up the narrow and curvy mountain road.
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| Wild mountain stream |
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| Wild flowers |
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| Clean, clear but oh, so cold, water! |
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| A monument at the top commemorating an airman who crashed while on military service in 1928.
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| The simple but lovely mountain inn. It also houses a museum and a souvenir store
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And, of course, after the drive to the top of the mountain, you need a hearty meal and an espresso.
Here the wine is served in the typical small cup, tazzino.
August 25th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
What a treat being able to share in your travels!!! Love reading the posts and looking at the photos~thanks for sharing! ❤
August 25th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Hi Susie! I'm having fun doing these!
August 25th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
You're a wonderful travel guide, Christa! You make it all come alive. Is that the grotto from Emilia?
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and impressions.
August 25th, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Linda, it's not the same grotto but a similar one. I'm happy you enjoy it!
August 25th, 2013 at 11:47 pm
Wonderful pictures. Thanks so much for sharing them with us. Enjoy your time with friends, always a treat.
August 26th, 2013 at 5:12 am
Thank you, Darlene. Seeing my friends again is always a lot of fun.
August 26th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Thank you! Your posts give me a feeling for Switzerland. Keep them coming! — Lindsay
August 26th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Thanks, Lindsay. They are fun to do. I'll keep them coming.
August 28th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
It's wonderful to read about your adventures in Switzerland. Can't wait for the next installment!
Diane
August 28th, 2013 at 5:28 pm
Thanks, Diane, I'm busy preparing the next post.
August 28th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
I'm enjoying reading about your travels. Hope to see it myself one day. I had one overnight in Lugano during a trip to Italy, but I need a lot more!
August 29th, 2013 at 4:47 am
Hi John, thanks for dropping by. I'm glad you enjoy it. I will be in Tuscany for week in October. I really look forward to it.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:03 am
Awesome post! The white horses are beautiful! It reminds of the carriage I believe I rode in at your wedding. And those views….I'm not sure I have the stomach for riding DOWN. That looked scary. I believe you have a hidden talent for travel writing, Christa! …..a Rick Steves in the making. Love your detailed descriptions not only of your surroundings but also of the food and drink.
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:59 am
Dorothy, how funny you would say this. I love Rick Steves' travel shows and I even bought one of his day packs! I also have his travel guide. He is funny, interesting, and very knowledgeable.
September 10th, 2013 at 4:28 am
Don't think I didn't notice that big, near empty bottle of vino towards the end. I know those cups were too small for someone like YOU, but to drink straight out of the bottle…SHOCKING!!!! Where are the shots of you passed out in the gutter? OH MY STARS!!!! I know you like to keep "on the move" in Swiss Land so the authorities don't close in and kick you out of the country. But if you keep living it up and drinking all of the wine, well… You're making a spectacle of yourself and people WILL notice. You'll get busted and deported (AGAIN) and have to come crawling back to Santa Monica… Positively SCANDALOUS!
September 10th, 2013 at 5:48 am
Gee, Monster A Go-Go, you found me out again! Sigh.