Brenner Pass

Brenner Pass, a pass in the Central Tyrol Alps, on the road between Innsbruck and Botzen, connecting Germany with the north-east of Italy. It is the lowest pass which crosses the main chain of the Alps, the summit being only 4588 feet above the level of the sea. Lofty mountains rise above it, but the scenery is less sublime and less interesting than that of any other of the great passes of the Alps. It is open at all seasons of the year. At the summit of the pass the traveller finds in close contiguity the Eisach, a small stream, which, after growing to be a considerable river, joins the Adige and the Sill, a tributary of the Inn; the one stream flowing to the Adriatic, and the other into the Black Sea. In 1867 a railway through the pass was opened, and thus a complete line of railway communication was established between Germany and Italy. This work was begun by the Austrian government when Venetia belonged to the Austrian empire. The distance from Innsbruck to Botzen in a direct line is only 52 miles, but frequent windings extend the railway to 78 miles. It passes over numerous viaducts and bridges, and through twenty-seven tunnels, one of which has a length of 935 yards. This line is still the shortest route between the eastern half of Germany and Italy, though it has now a rival in the St Gothard Railway.