Ever since the 13th century and at more than 2000 meters above sea level, travellers, pilgrims, and merchants have found refuge in the old hospice located in the frugal landscape of the St. Gotthard Pass. Repeatedly destroyed by war, fire, and landslides and then rebuilt, the originally heterogeneous building ascends defiantly and archaically within the landscape, extended by an additional story beneath the new lead-clad roof.