St Bernard’s Pass

The border between Switzerland and Italy is called the St. Bernard’s Pass, covered with snow most of the year. Now back in 1050, St. Bernard of Menthon, an Augustinian priest, opened a hospitality place right at the border, to help the stranded travellers and also give comfort to those fearful of frequent avalanches. Towards the end of the 17th century, the Augustinian monks acquired some large dogs to help in the search-and-rescue operations. These dogs had a special sense to find travellers trapped under the snow after avalanches. They always worked in twos, 2 dogs together. Whenever they found a trapped person, one of the dogs would stay with the traveller to keep him warm, while the other one would run to alert the monks of their find. One of the most famous dogs was Barry der Menschenretter (Barry who saves people,) who between 1800 and 1812, saved 40 people.  With the use of helicopters  and better roads today, there is less need of them, but they still thrive at the area, having also a foundation where the St. Bernard’s are raised and reared.