The Piccolo San Bernardo Pass is an Alpine pass which connects La Thuile valley in Aosta Valley with the Haute-Tarantaise in the Haute-Savoie. This pass has been used since ancient times, as attested by the many archeological and historical remains which can be found on site. The Medieval Jupiter reference is particularly interesting and was inscribed on the 4.5 meters high marble column located on the opposite side of the road. This piece comes from the sanctuary and is called Joux Column which gave the name Mons Minoris Iovis to this pass and the name Hospitale Columne Iovis to the San Bernardo Hospice as it was mentioned in the ancient documents. The Joux Column carries the same name given to the pass in the past and is used as a pedestal for the Saint Bernard statue which replaces the Jupiter monument destroyed by Saint Bernard himself when he arrived at the pass to eradicate all paganism symbols. On the pass it is also possible to visit the Chanousia botanic garden.
