The Great St. Bernard Pass connects Switzerland to Italy. At 2,473 metres, it is the highest mountain pass in Europe. The famous monastery of St. Bernard, which was founded in the eleventh century, lies about a mile away. For hundreds of years, St. Bernard dogs have saved the lives of travellers crossing the dangerous Pass. These friendly dogs were first brought from Asia. Despite the new tunnel, people still use the Pass and the dogs are still sent out into the snow whenever a traveller is in difficulty.