Abbazia di Montecassino

History

Here, around 529, St Benedict of Norcia founded the monastery where he wrote the Rule: this is the cradle of Western monasticism. Four times destroyed and four times risen again: by the Lombards in the sixth century, the Saracens in 883, the earthquake of 1349 and the Allied bombing of 15 February 1944. It was rebuilt "where it was, as it was" and reconsecrated in 1964 by Paul VI, who on that occasion proclaimed St Benedict patron of Europe. It holds the tombs of Benedict and Scholastica, a celebrated library and a museum with the treasures that survived the war.

Visiting

What to see

Founded by Saint Benedict. Cradle of Western monasticism. Rebuilt after the 1944 destruction. Basilica, crypt with relics, cloisters, museum, library. Polish WWII cemetery.

Surroundings

Liri Valley. Polish war cemetery. 130 km from Rome, 150 from Naples. Food from Campania and Ciociaria.

Visitor information

Abbey open daily with seasonal hours; free entry, museum for a fee.

Contacts

+39 0776 311529 · abbaziamontecassino.it · foresteria@abbaziamontecassino.org

Hospitality and where to sleep

Guesthouse available

The guesthouse welcomes male pilgrims exclusively. Contact: foresteria@abbaziamontecassino.org.

Beds and prices

Yes: the monastery's internal guesthouse welcomes, on request, pilgrims and passing guests who wish to share silence, prayer and meals with the community; the cost is a free-will offering according to one's means. Book by writing to the guest father. Alternatively, in the town of Cassino below, wide choice of hotels and B&Bs in every price range.

Services

Water and toilets at the welcome area; bar-refreshment point and shop with souvenirs and monastic products beside the abbey, open during visiting hours. Full meals and bike assistance in Cassino. Guesthouse guests share meals with the monastic community.

Places to stay nearby (within 15 km)

No places listed within 15 km yet: the overnight network is a work in progress.

Getting there by bike

The climb from Cassino is a minor classic: about 8-9 km of regular hairpins at an average gradient of around 5%, on good asphalt with ever wider views over the Liri valley. Bikes may not enter the abbey: leave them at the entrance to the summit car park, beside the guard post. Entry to the abbey is free; the museum is paid. Modest dress required (shoulders and knees covered).

Eight regular hairpins lead from Cassino up above the Liri valley, the grade never vicious. The bike is left at the car park, inside you enter only on foot and covered up. The guesthouse welcomes pilgrims, but men only.

Bike left at the entrance to the summit car park, next to the gatehouse. Water and toilets at the reception area. Bike racks at the top are not guaranteed: bring a lock.

Map and stages