Passo Stelvio - Stilfserjoch: Geisterspitze

Few places in Lombardy have a history as closely tied to Alpine road engineering as Passo Stelvio, also known as Stilfserjoch. At 2,757 metres, this mountain pass marks the boundary between Lombardy and South Tyrol in the Ortler Alps. Its celebrated road was built between 1820 and 1825 under Austrian rule, following plans by engineer Carlo Donegani. The eastern descent is recognised for its 48 numbered hairpin bends, while the surrounding high country belongs to Stelvio National Park. The pass has also become a demanding fixture in professional cycling, including the Giro d’Italia. Browse additional webcams from the surrounding area to extend your view of the Ortler Alps.

Shaped by the Po Valley and the southern Alps, Lombardy developed into Italy’s leading economic region. Its territory runs from high Alpine valleys to the broad Po plain, where the Adda, Oglio and Ticino are major waterways. Milan is its metropolitan centre, marked by the Gothic Duomo and a long role in finance, design and publishing. Farther east, Bergamo is divided between its walled Città Alta and modern lower city; nearby Lake Iseo lies between Lombardy’s pre-Alpine ridges. Rice fields around Pavia, vineyards in Franciacorta and lake towns give the region a markedly varied identity. Browse other webcams across Lombardy to place this setting in a wider geographic context.

Among the countries of southern Europe, Italy stands out for its Mediterranean coastline and cities marked by the legacy of ancient Rome. The Alps form its northern frontier, while the Apennines run down the peninsula and the Po crosses the broad plain of the north. Rome’s Colosseum and Roman Forum recall the ancient empire; Florence is closely associated with the Renaissance, and Venice is built across a lagoon on the Adriatic. Food changes markedly between regions, from olive-oil cooking in the south to rice dishes in the Po Valley. Sicily and Sardinia add distinct island identities to a country whose regions retain strong local character. Explore nearby webcam locations that provide complementary perspectives on Italy’s coasts, cities and mountains.