Abbey of Montecassino — Attraction in Cassino

The Abbey of Montecassino

I have for whatever reason, may be WWII related, not sure, always wanted to visit this amazing site! The Abbey, Monastery, with its richly decorated church, was truly worth the effort as our last touristy stop in Italy!

Having just arrived via overnight ferry from Palermo to Napoli, then an hours and a half drive to Cassino, we were greeted by some amazing foggy weather, especially the last 9 or so Kilometer were special, winding roads up the mountain were good, so it was fairly easy, but as slow as it can get, like driving through the clouds just to be greeted by sunshine up the mountain!

Here some Wikipedia excerpts:

the first house of the Benedictine Order, having been established by Benedict of Nursia himself around 529. It was for the community of Monte Cassino that the Rule of Saint Benedict was composed.

In 1944, during World War II, it was the site of the Battle of Monte Cassino, when the building was destroyed by Allied bombing. It was rebuilt after the war. Of course the Germans tried to defend it, didn’t work, from there on it went downhill, a number of cemeteries are scattered around Cassino, primarily for the allied forces!

It was a somber visit, time to reflect on the casualties of war, and how humanity can have such greatness to build magnificent structures, but ending up only to finally destroy them again & again?

Does humanity ever learn? I wonder, I ponder!

Enjoy this short photographic journey!

#thetourist #holidaysurprise #italy #montecassino #cassino...

Stretegically located over the meeting point of several valleys, the monastery was subjected to intense shelling during WWII, but was subsequently re-built. Accessed by a winding road with hairpin bends you can walk, cycle, drive or come here on a coach trip. There are cemeteries on the flanks of the mountain that mark those that died in the intense fighting that took place here. The Abbey is mostly tranquil and impressive in its size and location. The views down onto Cassino, the valley and surrounding mountains explain clearly why the monastery was originally built here. The interior of the church is in stark contrast to the pale stone of the buildings. Every surface is richly decorated, painted or set with coloured stones. It would take days to look at everything in detail and the restoration must have taken many craftsmen years to complete. Some of the original stonework (with bullet marks) has been incorporated into the re-built structures. Whatever your motivation for visiting the Abbey of Monte Cassino you cannot leave without lasting memories. On a practical note, coach trips come here so it can be busy at times. There are toilets in the carpark just before you walk up to the monastery. Inside the monastery there are quite a few steps so accessibility for some may be limited. Check the website or contact them to get information about how they can help you. An interesting place to visit for many reasons. You do have to pay for the parking or the monastery museum, but to see the church and surrounding...

This is my second visit in twelve years, the beauty & peaceful setting and the beautiful sung Mass on Sundays add to the spiritual experience. Abbey of Montecassino was rebuilt after the original was destroyed during WWll and sadly many who took shelter at the church perished too. The door of peace "PAX" marked the area as you enter the Monastery. It is well worth paying for the guided tour which will take you to areas not available to the public and also get you to the Museum which is so rich in Artefacts. As the government own the grounds of the Abbey though the monks live here, it was my experience that our Guide (a state employee) lacks the religious knowledge in answering some questions from the group, though well briefed on the history of the buildings. Nonetheless, this is an important place as St Benedict spent much time here and he wrote the rule book for the way of life for monks still widely followed to this day. This is marked by the chapel with the nine red lamps as you enter into the main church on your right. The beautiful main altar, despite the fact the the ceiling is incomplete and the ornate crypt for the Saints of Europe, Sts Benedict and Solatica, simply breath taking. Mass are said in the main church, confession is available at the side chapels. There is a well stock gift shop which you will find religious items to T-shirts, well worth a browse. There is a bus from Casino Railway to and fro the Abbey at set time during the day for a...