If you are traveling between Rome and Naples, the beautiful Abbey of Montecassino is worth a visit. The Abbazia di Montecassino , perched on the top of the mountain above the town of Cassino, is a functioning monastery and pilgrimage site, but is open to visitors. Montecassino Abbey is famous for being the scene of a huge and decisive battle near the end of WWII, during which the abbey was almost completely destroyed. It was completely rebuilt after the war and is now an important destination for tourists, pilgrims and history buffs.
Montecassino Abbey History
Monte Cassino Abbey was originally founded by Saint Benedict in 529, making it one of the oldest monasteries in Europe. As was common in the early days of Christianity, the abbey was built on a pagan site, in this case on the ruins of a Roman temple to Apollo. The monastery became known as a center of culture, art, and learning.
Montecassino Abbey was destroyed by the Lombards around 577, rebuilt, and again destroyed in 833 by the Saracens. In the 10th century, the monastery was reopened and filled with beautiful manuscripts, mosaics, and enamel and gold works. After being destroyed by an earthquake in 1349, it was rebuilt again with many additions.
During World War II, the Allied armies invaded from the south and attempted to push north and force the Germans out of Italy. Due to its high point of view, Monte Cassino was mistakenly believed to be a strategic hideout for German troops. As part of a protracted battle of months, in February 1944, the monastery was bombed by allied aircraft and completely destroyed. It was only after the Allies realized that the monastery had been used as a refuge for civilians, many of whom died during the bombings.
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a turning point in the war, but at an incredibly high cost, in addition to the loss of the abbey itself, more than 55,000 Allied troops and more than 20,000 German troops lost their lives.
Although the destruction of Montecassino Abbey remains a tragic loss to cultural heritage, most of its artifacts, including priceless illuminated manuscripts, had been transferred to the Vatican in Rome for safekeeping during the war. The abbey was carefully rebuilt following the original plan and its treasures restored. It was reopened by Pope VI in 1964. Today it is difficult to say that it has been destroyed and rebuilt four times.
Highlights of a visit to Montecassino Abbey
The entrance cloister was the site of the Temple of Apollo, converted into an oratory by Saint Benedict. The next guests enter the Bramante cloister, built in 1595. In the center is an octagonal well and from the balcony, there are excellent views of the valley. At the bottom of the staircase there is a statue of Saint Benedict dating from 1736.
At the entrance of the basilica, there are three bronze doors, the one from the middle of the 11th century. Inside the basilica there are incredible frescoes and mosaics. The Chapel of the Relics has reliquaries of various saints. Below is the crypt, built in 1544 and carved into the mountain. The crypt is full of impressive mosaics.
Montecassino Abbey Museum
Before the entrance to the museum, there are medieval capitals and remains of columns from Roman villas, as well as a medieval cloister with remains of a 2nd century Roman well.
Inside the museum are mosaics, marble, gold, and coins from the early medieval period. There are sketches, engravings, and fresco drawings from the 17th to the 18th centuries related to the monastery. Literary exhibits include book bindings, codices, books, and manuscripts from the monks’ library dating from the 6th century to the present day. There is a collection of religious items from the monastery. Near the end of the museum there is a collection of Roman finds and finally photographs of the destruction of the Second World War.
Montecassino Abbey Location
Montecassino Abbey is located about 130 kilometers south of Rome and 100 kilometers north of Naples, on the mountain above the town of Cassino, in the southern region of Lazio. From the A1 highway, take the Cassino exit. From the town of Cassino, Montecassino is about 8 kilometers down a winding road. Trains stop at Cassino and from the station you would have to take a taxi or rent a car.
Montecassino Abbey Visitor Information
Visiting hours: every day from 8:45 am to 7 pm from March 21 to October 31. From November 1 to March 20, the hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, the hours are from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
On Sundays, mass is celebrated at 9 am, 10:30 am and 12 pm and the church is not accessible at this time, except by the faithful. There is currently no admission charge.
Museum Hours: The Montecassino Abbey Museum is open daily from 8:45 am to 7 pm from March 21 to October 31. From November 1 to March 20, it is open only on Sundays; hours are 9 am to 5 pm There are special daily openings from the day after Christmas through January 7, the day before Epiphany. Admission to the museum is € 5 for adults, with discounts for families and groups.
Official website: Abbazia di Montecassino, check updated hours and information or book a guided tour.
Regulations: No smoking or eating, no flash photography or tripods, no shorts, hats, miniskirts or tops without neck or sleeveless. Speak quietly and respect the sacred environment.
Parking: There is ample parking with a small fee for parking.
This article has been updated by Elizabeth Heath.
