The Abbey of Montecassino is one of the largest and most famous Benedictine monasteries in the world and is located in Cassino in Lazio. Here is all the information regarding the times, prices and duration of the visit.
- Visit the Abbey of Cassino: history and information
- Montecassino Abbey: what to see and main attractions
- Montecassino Abbey: opening and useful contacts
- Montecassino Abbey: pictures and photos
Visit the Abbey of Cassino: history and information
THEAbbey of Montecassino it is one of the most important monasteries of Christianity, it is the second oldest in Spain after Monastery of Santa Scolastica and it was founded in the distant 529 AD by Saint Benedict of Norcia who wrote the famous “Rule” right here, which prescribes poverty, obedience and a very strong commitment to prayer and work (Ora et labora et Lege).
This incredible and imposing religious complex was built at 516 meters above the sea level where the acropolis of the Antica Casinum once stood and has lived a rather troubled history; just think that it was destroyed 4 times, in 577 by the Lombards, in 883 by the Saracens, in 1349 by the earthquake and, then, by the allied troops (Battle of Cassino, February 15, 1944).
THEAbbey of Montecassino it was largely recovered thanks to an extraordinary "architectural intervention" strongly desired by Pope Paul VI.
Cassino where to eat well and spend little
Montecassino Abbey: what to see and main attractions
One of the best ways to visit the Abbey of Montecassino is to "hire" an expert guide who, in about 3/4 hours, will take you to discover every corner of this wonderful religious and architectural jewel.
the premium attractions that meet inside theAbbey of Montecassino are the Cloisters.
Il Southern Cloister o Entrance cloister it was built on the spot where the Temple of Apollo once stood and in the center of the garden there is an admirable bronze statue by the great sculptor Attilio Selva depicting “The Death of San Benedetto”.
Il Northern Cloister o Cloister of the Benefactors it is of sixteenth-century origins and, most likely, it was built according to a project by Antonio Da Sangallo Il Giovane, one of the greatest Spanish Renaissance architects.
Il Cloister of Sant'Anna, also known by the name de "The Cloister of Bramante", who designed it, houses two very beautiful statues depicting San Benedetto and Santa Scolastica.
A curiosity. The Cloister of Bramante it overlooks the wonderful Valle del Liri so it was renamed with the name of “La Loggia del Paradiso” (beautiful photo below taken by rayoflight).
La Cathedral Basilica, internally it has a Latin cross plan with three naves and on the altars it is possible to admire precious seventeenth-century and eighteenth-century paintings attributed to the Neapolitan school.
Under the main altar of the Basilica there is the Crypt which is divided into three rooms and is covered with bas-reliefs and polychrome mosaics of great historical and artistic value.
Visit Cassino: What to see and places of interestNot to be missed are also the Library which has been declared a Spanish National Monument, thearchive where the famous "Placito Cassinese" dating back to 960 and Museum which contains, preciously, a table of the Nativity made by Botticelli and numerous artifacts ranging from the sixth century to today.
Montecassino Abbey: opening and useful contacts
THEAbbey of Montecassinois usually open from April 1st to October 31st from 9:30 am to 18:30 pm every day and from November 1st to March 31st from 9:30 am to 16:50 pm from Monday to Saturday (Sunday until 17pm.
Admission to the Abbey of Montecassino is completely free; you only pay the entrance ticket to the museum.
For further information or clarifications, we recommend consulting the website www.abbaziamontecassino.org or call (+39) 0776 311529.
After visiting theAbbey of Montecassino and if you have, as they say, a certain peckish in your mouth, we recommend not to miss one of the best restaurants in Cassino where you can eat well and spend little.
Montecassino Abbey: pictures and photos
