The Gotthard Pass is one of the most important and historic Alpine crossings in Switzerland. It connects German-speaking northern Switzerland with Italian-speaking Ticino and has been a central north-south connection in Europe for centuries.

For a long time, the Gotthard Massif was considered virtually insurmountable. The main obstacle was not the pass itself, but the wild and dangerous Schöllenen Gorge to the north. It wasn't until around 1220 that the decisive breakthrough was achieved: with the construction of a bold bridge over the Reuss River, the legendary Devil's Bridge, the path through the gorge became accessible for the first time. This opened the pass to mule traffic and revolutionized trade.

Control over this new, direct trade route brought prosperity and power to the surrounding valleys, especially the canton of Uri. This strategic importance was a key factor in the growing self-confidence of the original cantons and contributed significantly to the founding of the Old Swiss Confederacy in 1291.

Today, the Gotthard is far more than just a transportation hub. It is a national symbol that embodies Switzerland's history, identity, and pioneering spirit—from a perilous mule track to a state-of-the-art transit route through the heart of the Alps.