Maddalena Pass, Mountain pass and border crossing between France and Italy at Piedmont.
Maddalena Pass is a mountain crossing at 1991 meters elevation linking the French town of Barcelonnette to the Italian city of Cuneo through alpine terrain. The road climbs steadily through a dramatic landscape of rock and steep slopes as it crosses the border.
In 1515, King Francis I of France led his army across this pass during a campaign to capture Milan from rival powers. The crossing served as a key military route for controlling the Alpine region.
The pass carries different names on each side: Col de Larche in French and Colle della Maddalena in Italian. These dual names show how both nations have long claimed this mountain crossing as part of their own geography.
The mountain road closes during winter due to heavy snow, typically from late October through early May. Travelers should check conditions in advance and be prepared for rapidly changing weather at this elevation.
The Lago della Maddalena on the Italian side marks where the Stura di Demonte river begins its journey. This river feeds into the larger Tanaro river system.
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