Great St. Bernard. The road leading across Great St. Bernard begins at Martigny, in the Rhone Valley. The road then descends into northwestern Italy by way of Valle D'Aosta. The Great St. Bernard Hospice stands at the highest point in the pass. It was founded in the 1000's by Saint Bernard of Menthon.
Augustinian monks offer refuge for travelers at the hospice.
In the past, the pass became well known because the monks used their famous St. Bernard dogs to save the lives of many wayfarers during severe winter months. In normal winters, the road to the pass is only partially open, isolating the hospice from the outside world. Food and other necessities are brought to the hospice by truck in the summer. In the winter, necessities are flown in by helicopter. Many summer travelers visit the hospice, which has room for more than 300 people.