Lukmanier Pass (Grisons/Ticino, Switzerland)

With the opening of the Disentis Monastery in 720 a.d. the Lukmanier Pass, which was easily accessible and much lower than the alpine passes, became extremely important. During the Staufer era it was considered the most important North-South axis to Italy, but soon lost this distinction to the Gotthard and Splügen passes. In 1374 the Disentis Monastery errected the «Hospezi S. Maria» and chappel at the top of the pass. Both of these objects now lie under the hydro lake. The new Hospiz as it stands today was inaugurated on 1 August 1965 and the chappel in 1967. The Lukmanier Pass was once in contention for the construction of a trans-alpine railway as the planners were of the opinion that they would not have to build an expensive tunnel at the top. The final decision went in favour of the Gotthard. A modern road was built over the Lukmanier between 1872 and 1877. Construction of the hydro lake «Lai da Sontga Maria» meant that a new road gallery had to be built on the Bündner side. The opening of the road tunnel through the Gotthard was a blow to tourism in the area, especially as the pass was closed during the winter months from 1980 onwards. The association «Pro Lucomagn» was founded in 2005 with the aim of keeping the pass open as long as possible during winter and was financed by the canton, regional municipalities and tourist associations in Grisons and Ticino. The 5 year test phase had a positive outcome and the project is now financially secured for the future which is of major touristic importance to the Surselva and the Blenio Valley.