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Cassino is ubicated on a plain intersected by some isolated elevations such as Mount Trocchio and Mount Porchio. Some mountain ranges surround it; the Mount Meta massif, the Mainarde massif on the northern side, and the Aurunci Mountains on the southern side.

The area is particularly rich in waterways. The river Rapido, which flows from the western side of the Mainarde range, meets the river Gari in Sant’Angelo in Theodice. In the North-West there is the river Liri, which comes from Roveto Valley and joins the river Sacco in the territory of San Giovanni Incarico, creating a small lake. Then the rivers Liri, Melfa and Gari flow together into the river Garigliano that empties into the Tyrrhenian Sea, near Minturno.

Cassino and its history

Cassino rase on the slope of the Massif of Mount Cairo, at a very strategic point in the Liri Valley which had been the very crossroads both for trade routes and transhumance since prehistoric times. Between the end of 6th century and the beginning of 5th century BC, the area experienced the passeges of the Volscian people who were aiming to conquer the fertile Pontine Valley

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Saint Benedict and Montecassino

Saint Benedict from Nursia founded the most important and well known monastery in 529. It was on the acropolis of the ancient Casinum that Saint Benedict form Norcia founded the most important and well known monastery, cradle of the western monasticism, in 529.

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Archaeology

Still today, Cassino preserves monuments and places of high archaeological interest, which miraculously survived the cruel bombardments of WWII. The archaeological park of the ancient Casinum covers an area that goes from the National Museum “G. Carettoni” to the Abbey of Montecassino. The museum hosts the most significant findings of the area, from prehistory to the Roman period.
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Rocca Janula

The fortification, which dominates the city from a steep cliff (193 m.a.s.l.), was erected around the middle of the tenth century AD by the Abbot Aligerno of Montecassino as a defense from recurrent hostile attacks at the Abbey and at the inhabited area of San Germano (the ancient Casinum).
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The Battle of Montecassino and the places of the memory

The Second World War gave the city of Cassino and its abbey a sad role as protagonists. After the landing of the Allies, the Germans moved backwards along the Italian peninsula to hide among the mountains that go from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic, creating a barrier line that had as its strategic spots the reliefs around Cassino: the Gustav Line. The Allied troops were blocked along the river Rapido-Gari from December 1943 to May 1944.
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The Stone Memory

Before the WWII bombardments, the city had medieval buildings of great value of which there is no trace anymore. To set up a theme-based itinerary, it was decided to put large boulders of raw limestone at the original locations of the buildings. On each of them there is a plaque, engraved with a short text with the history and the stylized shape of the building or the narration of the event.
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Museums

The city of Cassino hosts three important museums that are significant points of cultural interest, nationally and internationally. The National Archaeological Museum “G. Carrettoni”, the “Historiale” museum dedicated to Montecassino’s Battle, and the “CAMUSAC”, Museum of Modern Art.
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Natural Attractions

One of the main features of the city of Cassino is its wonderful and flourishing nature. Some of these natural attractions are the stunning springs of the river Gari that flow in the city center, the thriving natural park, green heart of the city, and the lush nature trails that twist and turn on the Mount overlooking the city and in the surrounding area.
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Places and points of interest

Unique places to see in and near Cassino.

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Theme Parks

Cassino is not only rich in monuments and museums, but offers many theme parks too; the perfect places to have fun with family and friends. 

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Tradizioni & Eventi

Every year in Cassino events and activities that host thousands of people are organized; fun, sport, food and wine experiences, history, and traditions that revive and are repeated every season for all the preferences. Families, young people, athletes, nature or good food lovers.

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Walks nearby

Cassino is surrounded by wonderful territories. Some natural paths start from or cross the city to get to the neighboring towns, taking to fascinating places full of history, or natural treasures enriched with rushing waters or calm streams. 

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Cassino and its University Center

Cassino owns an important university center. The Public University of Cassino was born in 1979. It included degrees such as Teaching, Economics, and Mechanical Engineering. Today, the “Università degli Studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale” (University of Cassino and Southern Lazio) counts about 12,000 enrolled students coming from Lazio and the surrounding regions. 

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Flavors

The culinary tradition of Cassino has very ancient origins, and it is based on the genuine and poor products of the Italian countryside.
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