3-021-624 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new overland route to India: Mont Cenis Railway - Fort l'Esseillon, at Brabans, 1869. 'The Alpine scenery of the high road and climbing railroad,...from its course traversing the inmost recesses of the mountains, is full of variety and interest...[At the] fortress of Esseillon, at Brabans, not far from Modane,...the road passes high above the river Arc, and the deep, dark gorge, through which that stream flows, is a tremendous natural fosse lying in front of this old Sardinian fortress, which is built on the side of the mountain, rising far up, with tier above tier of walled batteries, to bar the passage from France to Italy. There is another fort on the left bank of the valley with batteries, ditches, and bridges, to cover the road which passes on that side. This fortress of Esseillon, since the annexation of Savoy to France, has been partly dismantled...[Le Pont du Diable,] a very light bridge, like a ladder, passes from the fort to the works defending the road. This...is seen in the picture like a small thread across the chasm...The Mont Cenis Railway is here seen on the right, where there is a steep ascent from Termignon. A fine view of the fort and the snowy peaks beyond is obtained from the railway at various points'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.