A paved road to Predil Pass in the Julian Alps

Predel-Passo di Predil is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.156m (3,793ft) above sea level, located on the border between Italy and Slovenia.

Passo di Predil

Why is Predil Pass famous?

Near the summit there’s a stone pyramid with a bronze statue of a lion in its death throes. This monument pays tribute to a group of Austrian soldiers who defended the fortress situated above the memorial during the Napoleonic wars.

When was the road to Predil Pass built?

The road through the pass has been a major trade route since at least Roman times. The first road through the pass was built in 1319. In 1903, a 4.5 km (2.8 mi) long tunnel (Štoln) was built beneath the pass, serving miners from Log pod Mangartom on their way to the lead mines in Cave del Predil.

Is the road Predil Pass in the Julian Alps paved?

Set high in the Julian Alps, the road to the summit, also known as Predel Pass, is paved, but steep, hitting a 13.1% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. It’s called Strada Statale 254 in Italy and 203 in Slovenia. It’s a difficult road, with countless turns and twists.

How long is Predil Pass in the Julian Alps?

The pass is 7km (4.34 miles) long, running from Cave del Predil (in the Province of Udine, in northeastern Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region) to Strmec na Predelu (in Slovenia's Littoral region).