Durvus Mons

DURVUS MONS

DURVUS MONS The St. Immerthal and the Münsterthal, in the canton of Bern in Switzerland, are separated by a rocky barrier of the Jura, in which is the cleft through which the road leads from Biel to Bâle and Porentruy. It is supposed by some writers to have been a natural cleft in which the Romans formed their road, as a Roman inscription on the rock shows; but the reading of it is said to be doubtful. The place is called the Pierre Pertuse or Pertuis (Pertusa). According to D'Anville (Notice, &c.), the inscription contains the words VIA DVCTA PER MONTEM DVRVVM; and he adds that the mountain keeps its name Durvau. According to the inscription, a IIVIR COL. HELVET. superintended the work; the colonia is probably Aventicum (Avenche).

[G.L]