Cassino is a city located at the foot of the Apennines. The hill of Monte Cassino rises above it, known for the great battle of World War II and the Benedictine abbey located on its top.
The city itself does not offer tourists too many monuments and interesting places. There is a nice center, restored after the war, a large number of restaurants and bars and several churches.
The main attraction of Cassino is Monte Cassino. In Roman times, on its top was the temple of Jupiter, Phoebus and Venera. Around 525, St. Benedict of Norcia and founded a monastery here, from which the history of the Benedictine order began. The former Roman sanctuary was adapted to its needs and rebuilt it with new buildings. For 1500 years, the Benedictine abbey at Monte Cassino was one of the most important theological, scientific and cultural centers of the order.
In 1943, after the Allied landing in southern Italy and Mussolini's surrender, the Germans began building defenses on the Apennine Peninsula. One of them was the Gustav Line, and the Monte Cassino hill was one of the leading places of its resistance. From January 1944, unsuccessful attacks on German positions were carried out, in which allied troops took part, including from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain. In April, the 2nd Polish Corps was introduced into the fighting under the command of General Anders, who, after fierce fighting on May 18, managed to capture the monastery. War cemeteries, including the Polish Military Cemetery, remind of these events.
After the destruction during the battle, the monastery was rebuilt. Today, on its premises, you can see, among others St. Benedict and the Monte Cassino Abbey Museum.
