The Stelvio Pass (2758 m above sea level) is the highest road pass in Italy: it has no fewer than 48 hairpin bends on the South Tyrolean side and 40 on the Lombard side.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Emperor Francis I of Austria wanted a new road that would link the Val Venosta directly with Milan—then Austrian territory—via Valtellina.

The task was given to Carlo Donegani (1775-1845), the chief engineer of the Province of Sondrio. He was an expert in high-mountain road engineering and had already designed the Stelvio’s predecessor, the Passo dello Spluga.

Work began on 26 June 1820 and involved large numbers of workers, engineers and geologists. After five years the project was completed and it was inaugurated on 6 July 1825 in the presence of the imperial authorities. The work cost around 2,900,000 florins. For Donegani, it meant a shower of honours, including the title of count.

Near the pass, on the South Tyrolean side (then Austrian), the Austro-Hungarian Empire built three fortifications: Forte Gomagoi, Forte Klein Boden and Forte Weisser Knott, which formed part of the Gomagoi barrier. Just at the pass itself, though, you can still see the remains of the Goldsee fortification.

Until 1915, the pass was used all year round by a coach service, thanks to the efficient work of the snow-clearers throughout the winter. With the arrival of the First World War, it became the scene of fierce fighting between Austrian and Italian infantry, since the pass lay right on the Italian-Austrian border.

After the victory on 4 November 1918, both sides became Italian. The pass lost its original role of linking Vienna and Milan, and the winter closure was decided.

In 1953, Fausto Coppi was the first to ride over the Stelvio, during a stage of the Giro d’Italia, the Bolzano-Bormio, and he won. In his honour, since 1965 the highest point reached by the race each year has been called Cima Coppi. In 2014, the Gavia Pass and the Stelvio Pass were tackled in the same Giro stage.