Cassino
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The strategic position of the monastery has always made it a target for attack. Most recently, the Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies with the intention of breaking through the German lines and taking Rome. On 15 February the monastery was destroyed by 1,400 tons of bombs dropped by American bombers, in the belief that the abbey was being used as a lookout post by the Germans.This was not, in fact, the case but two days after the bombing, German paratroopers occupied the ruins. The defences were then assaulted four times by Allied troops before the Germans were driven out
Get in
The town can be reached by the Rome-Naples railway and the A1 tollway (Autostrada) between Rome and Naples, by getting out at Cassino.
The abbey is connected to the town only by a very winding road, 10 km long.
The abbey is connected to the town only by a very winding road, 10 km long.
Get around
There are very infrequent buses from the train station to the monastery. Taxis are available.
See
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phone: +39 0776 311529The Abbey is very modern, having been reconstructed after the war and thus is primarily of interest to pilgrims and to students of the war who can appreciate the battles that were fought on the surrounding hills. The museum has medieval art and artifacts from the monastery and explains the history of monasticism (only open on Sundays in winter). It also has the best views of the battlefield.
War GravesThe Commonwealth War Graves cemetery on the western outskirts of Cassino is a beautifully maintained area with magnificent views of the monastery. The French and Italian cemeteries are on Highway 6 in the Liri Valley. There is a very striking Polish cemetery close to the battlefield and easily visible from the monastery. The German cemetery is approximately 2 miles (3 km) north of Cassino in the Rapido Valley. American casualties are not buried here but at Nettuno-Anzio.
Do
Second World War Battlefields Toursdifferent kinds of tours following the different countries that took part to the WW2. The tours are tailor-made in French, English, German and Italian
Sleep
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address: Via Abruzzi 16, 03043 CassinoInexpensive 38-room hotel that caters well to students of the war. Good restaurant.