Saint - Bernard   

 

Saint Bernard de Menthon proclaimed, by
Magpie XI, holy for the mountaineers and all
those which travel in the mountains, would have been born
in the castle of Menthon  in 1008 and
died in Novarre in Italy in 1081.

 

These dates are those given by
tradition. As of its death, he is considered
like a saint by the population of the Alps.
Many chapels and oratories during the
Middle Ages have been devoted to him .

 

Personal history
  

 

Bernard, attracted all ready at very
young age by the religious life, left the
family castle the night preceding his marriage, 
as the legend tells us;  while running away
he made use of a window to flee to the Aoste-valley.
He became there archdeacon of the bishop and
founded the chapels of the Great Saint Bernard.
These chapels still exist and those of the Small
Saint Bernard passroad are now destroyed.




 

The travellers could then find refuge and
were able to escape from all dangers
of the high mountains (blizards,
robbers etc.).

Saint Bernard de Menthon is the man who
delivered the pass roads of the Alps and made
them save for travel, allowing the development
of the trade and of the pilgrimages
between France and Italy.

 

HE also gave his name to the
famous holy dog Saint Bernard,
who helped so many travellers
in danger.