Theodulpass

Theodulpass in summer

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The Theodulpass ( Walser German: Theoduljoch, Italian: Colle del Teodulo, French: Col du Saint- Théodule ) until 1691 Augsttalerpass, is a 3'301 m above sea level. M. glaciated high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps between the Matterhorn and Breithorn. The pass through which runs the border between Italy and Switzerland, Zermatt combines in the Matter with Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche. The pass is to commit the whole year on the ski slopes built on either side. On the north side of the pass, the ski pistes pass over the nearly flat upper Theodulgletscher here. The Italian west side of the pass is free of ice. Immediately above the level of the pass is the Italian Rifugio del Teodulo.

The peculiarity of the Theodulpasses is its large amount of 3'301 m above sea level. M.: No other mountain pass of comparable importance is higher than 2,900 m above sea level. M. The Theodulpass has always been an important transition in the Valais Alps. A stone ax, which was found in 1895, comes from Brittany and is ( 4000-3500 BC ) dates back to the Neolithic Period. It suggests that the passport has already been used in that time. Near the pass, also a Roman coin hoard from the first was found to 4th century AD. This can be seen today in the Alpine Museum in Zermatt.

As the glaciers had pulled back during the warm period between 1000 and 1300 the Theodulpass was free of ice even on the north side. From the 13th century, partly cobbled mule, whose remains are still visible today date. The Walser, which in the first half of the 13th century in the southern valleys of the Valais Alps settled (Val d' Ayas and Lys Valley / Val de Lys), migrated also through this pass. The first mentioned by name is the Theodulpass S. Münster in 1543 as Augstalberg and Mons Sylvius. 1688 Savoy Bastion was built on the pass. The glaciologist D. Dollfuss taught in the repurposed to the refuge former bastion 1865 a meteorological station.

Today, the area has been developed around the Theodulpass by cable cars from both the Swiss and the Italian side, and mainly serves the ski tourism.

On the Italian side is the Bontadini Lift the highest point can be approached by motor vehicles in the Alps. The navigable from the Italian side of the road has to Denzel Alpenstraßen scale a value of SG 5