Across the Passes. Transport Structures and Markets in the Alpine Area of the Pre-Industrial Period
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Marie-Claude Schöpfer
Abstract
Despite its function as a natural barrier within the continental transport system the Alps as the most extensive European mountain range constantly served as an important corridor of exchange in economic contexts. Natural environment and climate as outlining basic preconditions significantly characterised the Alpine transportation system. The generally difficult natural and climatic conditions required specific solutions concerning the means of transport used on Alpine routes which led to typical structural characteristics of the respective networks as well as to massive transport costs. Alpine road construction and maintenance as a permanent struggle with the natural force presented a particular challenge. Tolls, fees for escort and further duties which were raised for the administration of roads, ways and traffic infrastructure ensured the further works and a certain offer of services which were the preconditions for the smooth running of goods traffic. In the course of the traffic expansion of the 13th century, the Alpine sumpters andwagoners began to organise themselves into corporations. Economic growth with its increased consumption needs and its demands for sales markets on both sides of the Alps resulted in more regular and intense trans- Alpine exchange. In the course of the pre-industrial centuries, economic processes transformed the system of the Alpine passes, the axes of the international transit, its feeder routes, the secondary transport networks and connection routes to smaller markets which led to important changes of the traffic flows. Until the construction of trans-Alpine railway lines, the fluctuations of the European economy and the shifts of economic focus areas profoundly affected the choice of routes, as well as the quantity, composition and frequency of goods flowing across the Alps. Despite remarkable shifts, during the entire pre-industrial era the system of Alpine passes remained by far the most important connection between the Mediterranean region and the North Alpine countries and therefore had a central function in European economy.
Abstract
Despite its function as a natural barrier within the continental transport system the Alps as the most extensive European mountain range constantly served as an important corridor of exchange in economic contexts. Natural environment and climate as outlining basic preconditions significantly characterised the Alpine transportation system. The generally difficult natural and climatic conditions required specific solutions concerning the means of transport used on Alpine routes which led to typical structural characteristics of the respective networks as well as to massive transport costs. Alpine road construction and maintenance as a permanent struggle with the natural force presented a particular challenge. Tolls, fees for escort and further duties which were raised for the administration of roads, ways and traffic infrastructure ensured the further works and a certain offer of services which were the preconditions for the smooth running of goods traffic. In the course of the traffic expansion of the 13th century, the Alpine sumpters andwagoners began to organise themselves into corporations. Economic growth with its increased consumption needs and its demands for sales markets on both sides of the Alps resulted in more regular and intense trans- Alpine exchange. In the course of the pre-industrial centuries, economic processes transformed the system of the Alpine passes, the axes of the international transit, its feeder routes, the secondary transport networks and connection routes to smaller markets which led to important changes of the traffic flows. Until the construction of trans-Alpine railway lines, the fluctuations of the European economy and the shifts of economic focus areas profoundly affected the choice of routes, as well as the quantity, composition and frequency of goods flowing across the Alps. Despite remarkable shifts, during the entire pre-industrial era the system of Alpine passes remained by far the most important connection between the Mediterranean region and the North Alpine countries and therefore had a central function in European economy.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- The Impact of Natural Disasters on Economic Life in the Eastern Alps. The Case of the Salzach-Inn and Traun River Catchment Areas 1
- Natural Disaster Prevention and Management in the Valais Alps from the Middle Ages to the Nineteenth Century 31
- Roads, Tolls and the Development of Ecclesiastical Institutions in the Alps (400–900) 43
- Medieval Communication Networks in the Central Eastern Alps: Some Trend Lines 73
- Across the Passes. Transport Structures and Markets in the Alpine Area of the Pre-Industrial Period 89
- Structural Changes in Agriculture and Pastoralism in the Northern European Alps from Savoy to Vorarlberg (from the Eleventh to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century) 111
- Churches, Settlements and Resources in the Western Alps (Eleventh to Fifteenth Centuries) 129
- Italian Merchants and Traders North of the Alps: Commercial Practices and Social Strategies 141
- The Towns in the Alps: A Missed Protagonist 159
- Oeconomia Alpium: A Concept Takes Shape 171
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- The Impact of Natural Disasters on Economic Life in the Eastern Alps. The Case of the Salzach-Inn and Traun River Catchment Areas 1
- Natural Disaster Prevention and Management in the Valais Alps from the Middle Ages to the Nineteenth Century 31
- Roads, Tolls and the Development of Ecclesiastical Institutions in the Alps (400–900) 43
- Medieval Communication Networks in the Central Eastern Alps: Some Trend Lines 73
- Across the Passes. Transport Structures and Markets in the Alpine Area of the Pre-Industrial Period 89
- Structural Changes in Agriculture and Pastoralism in the Northern European Alps from Savoy to Vorarlberg (from the Eleventh to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century) 111
- Churches, Settlements and Resources in the Western Alps (Eleventh to Fifteenth Centuries) 129
- Italian Merchants and Traders North of the Alps: Commercial Practices and Social Strategies 141
- The Towns in the Alps: A Missed Protagonist 159
- Oeconomia Alpium: A Concept Takes Shape 171
