Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland 21 Aug 2026

Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland

Some mountain roads become destinations in their own right, and Julier Pass is one of them. Rising to 2,284 metres, this Swiss mountain pass has connected Alpine valleys for nearly 2,000 years. Long before modern traffic, Roman travellers, merchants and messengers crossed its heights. Archaeological discoveries, including hundreds of Roman coins and the remains of two stone columns, suggest there was once a sanctuary or resting place for those making the climb. The summit also marks the major European watershed dividing the Rhine and Danube river basins.

© Westend61/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Aug 20, 2023International Lighthouse Weekend
A deadly coast
21 Aug 2024Wolf Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
21 Aug 2025Wheatear, Peak District National Park, England

More Desktop Wallpapers:

17 Feb 2026Chinese New Year
1 Mar 2026Saint Davids Day
Here we go!
11 Oct 2026Glade Creek Grist Mill, West Virginia, United States
1 May 2026Brighton Festival
15 Sep 2025Point Reyes National Seashore, California, United States
Guarding the pass
19 Sep 2025Thousand Islands region, St Lawrence River, USA-Canada border
26 Mar 2026Logan Creek Suspension Bridge, West Coast Trail, Canada
26 Dec 2024Boxing Day
9 Apr 2025Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
21 Jan 2024Squirrel Appreciation Day
11 Jul 2024World Population Day
Reflecting on Christmas
In the foothills of Snowdon
26 Nov 2024Celebrating World Olive Tree Day
2 Jan 2026Aerial view of Venice, Italy
28 Feb 2025Tibetan New Year
World Elephant Day
22 Nov 2025Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
Dad on duty
15 Nov 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
18 Dec 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA
21 Oct 2023International Archaeology Day
13 Dec 2025Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
8 Feb 2026Corfu, Greece
27 May 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
13 Oct 2024Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
What are these colorful insects?
18 Nov 2025Male hooded merganser, Oregon, United States