CASSINO

Cassino is historical chief town of meridional Lazio, key point among more regions : Campania, Molise and Abruzzo. It extend itself on the plain dominates of Montecassino and Rocca Janula, constructed in the 10th century as a commanding position over the valley.

The origins of Cassino cames on the Quaternary period. First inhabitants werw Oscans, then Sabines that called our town "Ciascum=Ancient", finaly werw Volsci. Volsci gave the strategic position of the zone, builded one defensive work and on the top of the mountain erected a rectangular acropolis with polyconum walls. In 309 b.C. was a Roman colony with the name of "Casinum" and later became an important commercial centre.

During the second world war was completely distroyed, a great main of the fallen are burried in war cemeneries near the abbey of Montecassino. After the end of the war, the town was rebuild thanks to the abbot Bertario who called Cassino: "eulogimenopolis" that means: "ST BENEDICT'S CITY"

Abbey of  Montecassino

Montecassino is the most famous Christianity Monstery, founded by St. Benedict in 529, who wrote the rule of "ORA ET LABORA".

The ponderous building of the sannitic walls are the rest of the ancient Casinum city wall. Inside the Abbey you can see several clister: ENTRANCE COISTER with the bronz group with St. Benedict, CLOISTER of BRAMANTE and the BENEFACTOR'S CLOISTER.
The central front dates back to the 11 century. Inside you can see P. ANNIGONI frescos, the HIGH ALTAR, St. Benedict and his sister TOMB, CHAPEL OF PIETA' with painting of 1700 and 1800, the CRYPT of the 1500 and so on. The most important works of the artistic history kept in the museum of the abbey, near the big library that contains ancient manuscripts.

Rocca janula

The Rocca Janula was constructed by the abbot Aligerno in 953 as a commanding position of Montecassino Abbey.

In 1115 was occuped by St Germano Citizens, that distroyed in the first time. In was constructed a chapel and outside were builded high and strong walls.

But it was destroyed other three times and then during the bombing of the second world war. Finally is restoring.

Archaeological area

More interesting is an amphitheatre of the 1st century a.C. build by the matron Ummidia Quadritilla, the tomb of the same Ummidia is also there. Near there is the theatre.