Opening of the St. Gotthard tunnel on September 5, 1980

The St. Gotthard Tunnel in Switzerland runs from Göschenen in the Canton of Uri at its northern portal, to Airolo in Ticino to the south, and is 16.942 kilometres (10.527 mi) in length below the St. Gotthard Pass. It is the third-longest road tunnel in the world after Norway's Lærdal Tunnel (24.5 km), and China's Zhongnanshan Tunnel (18 km).

In response to the automobile boom in Switzerland and the popularity of Italy as a travel resort, the Swiss government gave approval in July 1969 for the construction of the 16-kilometre Gotthard Road tunnel. The tunnel would be longer than any existing road tunnel, and would provide year-round road link between central Switzerland and Milan to be used in place of the Gotthard Pass.

The now widely used motorway tunnel was opened on September 5, 1980. It remains a single bore tunnel with just one lane operating in each direction. It has four large ventilation shafts and an additional side gallery between 10 and 18 metres from the main tunnel, having its own independent ventilation system in order to facilitate the cutting of a second tunnel, should future traffic levels require it.

The stamp on this maxicard was issued to commemorate the opening of this Tunnel on 5.9.1980. Thank you Maria.

Swiss Quality Emblem

This "maximum card" of Switzerland, showing the commemorative stamp of 40 cents denomination commemorating 50 years of "Swiss Quality Emblem (showing traditional "Armbrust" (Crossbow), with  which William Tell had killed "Gestler", who according to legend put an apple on the head of the son of William Tell and ordered the father (William Tell) to shoot the

apple, you certainly know the legend! The Swiss people believe in the legend, but there is not a single person called "Tell" who lived in the past or is living in Switzerland today!). The emblem (Trademark) Armbrust was introduced for the first time in 1931.This Armbrust Signet ensures the buyers that the product which they have purchased is genuine, and is made in Switzerland. In 1981 this signet celebrated its 50^th anniversary. Thank you Maria for this interesting maxicard.