14. The Stelvio Pass, Italy
An icon of Alpine engineering, the Stelvio Pass ascends through breathtaking switchbacks, originally constructed by the Austrian Empire in the 19th century. As drivers climb its hairpin turns, they pass remnants of World War I—abandoned fortifications and forlorn border communities perched high above the valleys. The landscape here is steeped in stories of conflict, shifting borders, and lost livelihoods, offering a poignant glimpse into the region’s layered past. More info
