The (so-called) Hannibal’s Wall (2650 m)Archaeological remains in the EntremontValley– Bourg-St-Pierre and its history
Have you ever heard of the (so-called) Hannibal’s Wall?
The (so-called) Hannibal’s Wall is a Roman fortress located at an altitude of 2650 m on the eastern slopes of the Entremont Valley. It is estimated to have been built in the early Roman era, around 29 BC. More than two hundred soldiers in the service of Rome, most likely Celtic or even Germanic auxiliaries, occupied this position for at least one summer. They took advantage of its favourable topographical situation on a crossing point with a view overlooking Bourg-St-Pierre.The name “Hannibal” (Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps in 218 BC) is linked to the legend of his passage over the Great St Bernard Pass. However, we now know that he did not cross the Alps in this region!A leaflet is available from regional tourist offices. It can also be downloaded from www.ramha.ch (fr, de, en, it). At the archaeological site, QR codes on stone markers provide access to additional multimedia content. Other information panels can be found at the Cœur and Boveired’en Bas alpine pasture huts, in Liddes, and at the Cabane de Mille.
Access
Intermediate level hikes (T2/T3) July – September.
See here (= www.saint-bernard.ch/fr/mur-dit-d-hannibal-17879/#itineraire) for the itinerary.
Welcome to Bourg-St-Pierre, at the gateway to Italy!
A small village of around 200 inhabitants, Bourg-St-Pierre (1620 m) is today the highest permanent village on the northern side of the Great St Bernard Pass (2469 m). As soon as you cross the pass, you are on Italian soil. This itinerary has been used at least since the Neolithic period (5500-2200 BC) and has been travelled in both directions, enabling the transfer of goods, people, and traditions.
A timid first occupation of the territory
Little is known about the prehistoric and Roman periods in the area around Bourg-St-Pierre. A few Celtic coins (Late Iron Age, circa 400 – 35 BC) have been discovered near the cemetery. Several architectural blocks from the Roman period, used as fillers (spolia), were found in and around the church walls. These are presumably from Roman monuments demolished on the pass and brought back during the Early Middle Ages (450 to 1000 AD) for the construction of new buildings, but the presence of Roman buildings in Bourg-St-Pierre itself cannot be completely ruled out. The first documented crossing of the Great St Bernard Pass by an army took place in wintry conditions in March 69 AD, when the Roman general Aulus Caecina led his troops into Italy during a civil war.
Middle Ages, Via Francigena, and celebrities on the way
It was during the Early Middle Ages that Bourg-St-Pierre really seemed to enter the history books. The valley was crossed by pilgrims on their way to Rome. Legend has it that Charlemagne took this route around the year 800 on his way to Rome to be crowned emperor. In 990, Bishop Sigeric also crossed the pass, which was then called Mons Iovis, on a trip to the remains of a temple dedicated to Jupiter. Today’s Via Francigena suggests the route taken by this famous pilgrim based on his writings.
Fig. 1
The route taken by Bishop Sigeric from Canterbury to Rome in the year 990, one of the emblematic itineraries of the Via Francigena, illustrates the importance of the Great St Bernard Pass in the North/South crossing of the Alps. © Via Francigena, Univ. Wien FRE Project 2005-2008, RAMHA
Fig. 2
In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII promised to provide remission of sins for pilgrims. Christians flock to Rome. Illumination from the chronicles of Giovanni Sercambi (1348-1424).
The first monastery, St-Pierre du Mont-Joux, was built in 815, mainly serving as a refuge for travellers. The monastery was destroyed during the 10th century during incursions attributed to the Hungarians and then to the “Saracens.” The presence of a fortified village is recorded as early as the 13th c., and two castles, now in ruins, overlooked the valley: the Château d’Allinges, to the north of the Valsorey torrent, and the Château de Quart (or Grand Château), on the Linnaea hill. Controlling the passage remained a strategic objective until the 20th century.
One of the most famous crossings of the Pass was certainly that of Napoleon Bonaparte. On May 20, 1800, he passed through Bourg-St-Pierre with the French reserve army (nearly 45,000 men) on his way to conduct military operations in Italy.
More positions on the mountain ridges!
Several locations in the municipality of Bourg-St-Pierre have been identified, with similar characteristics and dating to the site of the (so-called) Hannibal’s Wall. An unfortified site is situated at the summit of the Bonhomme du Tsapi (2802 m), a second one near the Plan de Tcholeire (around 2400 m), while three further locations with retaining walls are documented on the passes of Annibal (2991 m), EastofBarasson (2681 m) and WestofBarasson (2634 m), and finally a possible fourth site of the same nature on the Great St Bernard Pass itself.
What does a high-altitude archaeological site look like? Under what conditions did the area’s inhabitants live? Find out as you continue on your way. Enjoy the climb!
Fig. 3 – Engl
Remains of a hut on the site of the (so-called) Hannibal’s Wall. The view up the valley is excellent on a clear day. View to the south. © RAMHA
Fig. 0
Evidence of human occupation in the Upper Val d’Entremont
Timeline
EASY LANGUAGE
This panel presents an archaeological site. An archaeological site is a historic place with traces of the past. These are the traces of men and women from long ago. This archaeological site is called Hannibal’s Wall. This wall served as a mountain fortress. It dates back to Roman times. From this information panel, you will need to walk at least3 hours and 20 minutes to see the stone wall. Near the wall are the stone remains of old huts and a very old inscription. It is more than 2000 years old.
Conception and design © RAMHA, Romain Andenmatten, UNIL, Michel Aberson, ArchaeoConcept Sàrl, Leana Catalfamo
Graphics © Chab Lathion
English translation and review: Cynthia Dunning, Emma Bonvoisin
Easy to read proofreading in English © will come soon