Col du petit Saint Bernard - Paradise in Clouds [My Travel Blog]

How much do you know about that cute dog named Saint Bernard? I didn't know anything except that they are good-tempered, that they are carrying small barrel below neck, that they are sized for open space, and that they are damn cute. Enough, isn't ;)
But, life taught me a little bit more about those adorable dogs; from where they are, how they are breaded and about one amazing man which name those adorable dogs carry - Bernard of Menthon (Bernard of Montjoux) also known as Saint Bernard.

Bernard lived long time ago - between 1020 and 1086AD. He was born somewhere in Annecy as a descended of an rich family. Nothing in his early youth showed how great man he will become. He received education, which was a sure sign of nobility at that time and he was seen as successor ruler of his family castle. As every good family in those times, his family chose a good wife for him and everything was ready for his future as Ruler of the castle and Family man. There was just one small problem...

Problem was that Bernard didn't want that. He wanted to devote his life to the Church and God, and having a castle and wife was nowhere on his list. As legend says, he escaped from father castle night before his wedding in a spectacular way. As his father was aware of his wishes, he put guards in front of Bernard's room, located very high in the castle. Bernard was so determined that he will escape his arranged destiny, that he trow himself out of the window, just to be captured by an Angel and gently lowered on the ground some 12 meters below.

So Bernard did devoted his life to the Church and God. As educated young man, he was priest very soon. In years to come, he become aware that old beliefs of his people still remains. Paganism was still very strong, and Bernard went into mission of conversion people into Christianity. For 42 years he traveled and preached and Church gives to him many recognition's for conversions and miracles. This was one of reasons why he was canonized by Pope as recognized Saint in 17th century. The other reason is yet to be told.

Yeah... you may ask yourself, what the heck is going on with me? Why I am telling you about that old priest when I am usually in 'Nature is beautiful, Climb the mountain' kind of mood. Well.. because this is actually story about one of most beautiful mountain areas in French-Italian Alps: Col du petit Saint Bernard. But before we get there, I must tell you something more about Bernard of Menthon... Just bear with me for couple more minutes.

At that distant times, travelling from one point to another was complicated and dangerous task. Especially during winter, when 2 meters of snow covering everything. Exactly those dangerous paths were walked by French, Italian and German pilgrims on their way to Rome. As Bernard was more than once witness of suffering and pain of those brave travelers, he founded canonry and hostels at the highest points those travelers were passing.

First he founded refugee at border between Switzerland and France at 2,469 meters altitude. Few years latter, another refugee was founded at border between Italy and France at 2188 meters above sea level. Today those two passes are known as Great Saint Bernard and Little Saint Bernard in his honor. Both of them still have have renowned original hostels built by Bernard one millennium ago. Yep... if you didn't pay attention, story about St. Bernard of Menthon is one millennium old. Those sanctuaries were second reason why Bernard was recognized as an Saint. Today, he is considered to be Saint protector of all travelers around the world.

That lead us to amazing Col du Petit Saint Bernard - pass between Italy and France at 'modest' 2188 meters altitude, or how I call it - pure paradise. I've been on both passes, and they are quite different; while Great St. Bernard is wild, rocky beauty - Little St. Bernard looks tame an cultivated, almost peaceful. As you may witness from photos, Little Saint Bernard Pass is low enough to be stunningly green and high enough to be clear as only high altitude can be. Amazing collage of wavy meadows and sharp mountain peaks make this area very pleasing to eye. And then, when you think - 'well it is an very nice place', some crystal blue alpine lakes jump into your sight and all you can think is 'awwww' :)

I was all around Alps; from Julian Alps in Slovenia, through amazing Tyrol in Austria, across Swiss, Italian and French peaks to high cliffs of Mont Blanc, and when somebody mention Alps - first place to cross my mind is Col du Petit Saint Bernard. Even when I am in a hurry and when my path does not really have to cross that pass, I still decide to spend few more hours on the road just to see it again. If somebody painted heaven from my deepest desires - it would be Little Saint Bernard.

One trademark of Little St. Bernard are roads. Beautiful, curvy roads across this pass are well known to many drivers. Little St. Bernard is considered to be among ten most popular roads in Europe for those who live on road and live for the road.

It isn't really matters if you are car petrol-head, biker made of chrome and steel or cyclists made of carbon - this is Holy Grail you must conquer. Spending some time on the pass without being witness of amazing cars, fast bikes and happy cyclist is absolutely impossible.

If you are one of them, most likely you already have this place on your bucket list. But being ordinary curious traveler, consider spending some more fuel and some more time next time when you are crossing Alps. I know that tunnel below Mont Blanc is very fast way to travel in this area, but Little St. Bernard is worth extra time and extra fuel. You will enjoy in every meter of Col du Petit Saint Bernard. And if you can arrange your timetable to be on the pass in early morning or late evening... those views will stay engraved in your memory forever.

For the end, I owe you story from beginning of this text - story about one more Saint Bernard with four legs and tail. Saint Bernard dog has become permanent inhabitant and another trademark of St. Bernard from early 17th century. They were breaded there in refugees of St. Bernard as strong and well trained saviors of endangered travelers in mountains.

Mountain rangers have thousands of stories about those amazing dogs, but first one is always about Barry, hero dog who saved more than 40 lives. His preserved body is displayed at the Natural History Museum in Bern. In his honor, the refugee always have one dog named Barry. Yes - his younger brother and sisters are still there, on two passes of St. Bernard, but these days their only job is to welcome travelers and be adorable pets.

If you enjoyed this text and photos, consider visiting to Col du petit Saint Bernard. I am sure that you will be trilled by his amazing sights and that you will enjoy every moment spent in his peaceful wilderness.

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All photos taken with Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, and post-processed in Adobe Lightroom CC
All photos are clickable - click on them to see them in full resolution

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This blog entry is part of my Travel Blog series. All my posts are !originalworks
I have many more travel stories in my bag, so stay tuned.

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To see all mine travel entries, click here to visit my @SteemitWorldMap author link.

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