Note 1522 — Chapter XII · REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY (continued 2)

ibid., vol. iv, 1879, pp. 304–323. The medieval history of the Alpine passes is discussed in detail by Oehlmann, op. cit.; see also, Reinhard, Pässe und Strassen, 1903; Schulte, Geschichte, 1900; Scheffel, Verkehrsgeschichte, vol. ii, 1914, pp. 167–286. For a more compact account of the Alpine passes in the Middle Ages and in later times, see Coolidge, The Alps, 1908, pp. 150–198.

It would seem that the passes of the Central Alps were relatively little known in our period in comparison with those farther east and west. The Simplon and St. Gotthard, now so important, were only just beginning to be frequented. Other routes across the main ranges of the Alps made use of in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries were the Mont Genèvre and Little St. Bernard, leading from Italy into France and French-speaking Switzerland; the Grimsel and possibly the San Bernardino in the Central Alps; and farther east the Reschen-Scheideck and the Pontebba. Shortly before the opening of our period and during 481it many hospices were built to provide travelers with shelter and hospitality on the passes and along the routes leading to them.