In pics - The volatile border between Italy and Switzerland at the Alps
Theodul Glacier
The Theodul Glacier has become a tourist spot because of its interesting position between the two nations but in the past few years, the retreat of the glacier has created an unstable situation for the border.
Rifugio Guide del Cervino
Rifugio Guide del Cervino is located at the Testa Grigia peak and it opened its doors in 1984. With the diplomatic confusion around the volatile border, the institution has also faced a lot of confusion in the last few years.
First Italy, now Switzerland
In 1984, the refuge belonged to Italy. The institution had their entire paperwork done in that country but things have changed a lot. Right now, the melting of the glacier has changed its position and it currently falls in southern Switzerland.
Diplomatic solution
Italy and Switzerland were in talks about the changing border situation and an agreement was finally reached in 2021. However, the Swiss government has not officially signed it into action and as a result, the details still remain unclear.
"We are Italian"
Lucio Trucco, who runs the retreat, made it clear that the border may change but they will always remain Italian. “The refuge remains Italian because we have always been Italian,” he told The Guardian. “The menu is Italian, the wine is Italian, and the taxes are Italian.”
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