Sella di Camporosso, Mountain pass near Tarvisio, Italy
Sella di Camporosso is a mountain pass at 816 meters elevation located between the Carnic Alps and Julian Alps in northeastern Italy. It connects the Italian lowlands with the regions of Central Europe beyond.
The pass saw use in ancient times when Romans built roads through it in the 3rd century, with Emperor Caracalla marking the route with milestone markers. This infrastructure made it a key connection between Italy and the lands to the north.
The pass marks where Italian, German-speaking, and Slavic communities live close to one another, sharing and adapting traditions from all three cultures. You can see this blend reflected in local place names and the architecture of nearby villages.
You can reach the pass via the A23 motorway and State Road 13, which connect Venice to Central Europe. The drive is possible, but the elevation and mountain weather should be considered when planning your route.
The pass forms a natural watershed dividing waters that flow toward the Adriatic Sea from those heading eastward toward the Black Sea. This geographic boundary makes it a rare spot where two major European river systems meet.
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