圣伯納德大山口連接著瑞士與意大利，海拔2，473米，是歐洲最高的山口。11世紀(jì)建造的著名的圣伯納德修道院位于離山口1英里遠(yuǎn)的地方。幾百年來，圣伯納德修道馴養(yǎng)的狗拯救了許多翻越這道山口的旅游者的生命。這些最先從亞洲引進(jìn)的狗，待人友好，早在羅馬時代就給人當(dāng)看門狗了。如今由于在山里開挖了隧道，翻越山口已不那么危險了。但每年還要派狗到雪里去幫助那些遇到困難的旅游者。盡管修通了遂道，但仍有一些人想冒險徒步跨越圣伯納德山口。

      夏天的幾個月里，修道院十分忙碌，因為有成千上萬的人駕車通過山口，順道來修道院參觀。由于來人太多，狗被關(guān)在專門的圍欄里。然而到了冬天，修道院里的生活則是另一番景象。氣溫下降到零下30度，試圖跨越山口的人寥寥無幾。修道士們喜歡冬天，而不太喜歡夏天。因為在冬天，他們可以更多地過上無人打擾的生活。狗也比較自由，被放出圍欄，四處溜達(dá)。冬天常來修道院參觀的只有一批批滑雪者。他們在圣誕節(jié)或復(fù)活節(jié)到那兒去。這些熱愛高山清靜環(huán)境的年輕人每年都要受到圣伯納德修道院的熱烈歡迎。

The great St. Bernard Pass connects Switzerland to Italy. At 2,473metres, it is the highest mountain pass in Europe. The famous monastery of St. Bernard, which was founded in the eleventh century, lies about a mile away. For hundreds of years, St. Bernard dogs have saved the lives of travelers crossing the dangerous Pass. These friendly dogs, which were first brought from Asia, were used as watchdogs even in Roman times. Now that a tunnel has been built through the mountains, the Pass is less dangerous, but each year, the dogs are still sent out into the snow whenever a traveler is in difficulty. Despite the new tunnel, there are still a few people who rashly attempt to cross the Pass on foot.

During the summer months the monastery is very busy, for it is visited by thousands of people who cross the Pass in cars. As there are so many people about, the dogs have to be kept in a special enclosure. In winter, however, life at the monastery is quite different. The temperature drops to –30°and very few people attempt to cross the Pass. The monks prefer winter to summer for they have more privacy. The dogs have greater freedom, too, for they are allowed to wander outside their enclosure. The only regular visitors to the monastery in winter are parties of skiers who go there at Christmas and Easter. These young people, who love the peace of the mountains, always receive a warm welcome at St. Bernard’s monastery.