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[[Image:MontecasinoAbbey1.jpg‎|right|thumb|Ancient Abbey Montecassino]]

[[Image:MontecasinoAbbey1.jpg‎|right|thumb|Ancient Abbey Montecassino]]

'''Monte Cassino''' is a small hilltop in [[Italy]], about 80 miles south of Rome, Italy, a mile to the west of the town of Cassino, for which it is named.  This unlikely hill has been thrust to prominence several times in past centuries.

'''Monte Cassino''' is a small hilltop in [[Italy]], about 80 miles south of [[Rome]], Italy, a mile to the west of the town of Cassino, for which it is named.  This unlikely hill has been thrust to prominence several times in past centuries.

The Montecassino Monastery, was founded by St. Benedict about 529 of the Christian Era on the remnants of a pre-existing Roman fortification of the municipium Casinum. The heathen cult was still practised on this mountain site in the temple of Apollo and in a nearby holy grove next to a sacrifice area adjoining it.  

The Montecassino Monastery, was founded by St. Benedict about 529 of the Christian Era on the remnants of a pre-existing Roman fortification of the municipium Casinum. The heathen cult was still practised on this mountain site in the temple of Apollo and in a nearby holy grove next to a sacrifice area adjoining it.  

Montecassino became famous for the prodigious life and the Sepulchre of its Founder. Throughout the ages, the abbey has looked upon as a place of holiness, culture and art for which it became renowned on world-wide.

Montecassino became famous for the prodigious life and the Sepulchre of its Founder. Throughout the ages, the abbey has looked upon as a place of holiness, culture and art for which it became renowned on world-wide.

== The Battle of Monte Casino, World War II ==

== The Battle of Monte Cassino, World War II ==

[[Image:Montecassino2_map.gif‎ ‎|right|350px|thumb|Battle of Monte Cassino]]

[[Image:Montecassino2_map.gif‎ ‎|right|350px|thumb|Battle of Monte Cassino]]

The Battle of Monte Cassino consisted of four separate battles fought over the course of five months.  Forces from the United Kingdom, United States, Poland, New Zealand, Canada, [[Free France]], India,and others were involved among the Allies.

The Battle of Monte Cassino consisted of four separate battles fought over the course of five months.  Forces from the [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], [[Poland]], [[New Zealand]], [[Canada]], [[Free France]], [[India]], and others were involved among the Allies.

The key significance of these battles was it led to the eventual linkup between the Anzio pocket in the south and Allied troops trapped farther north.  The linkup of forces led to the eventual capture of Rome, the first Axis capital to fall in the war.  

The key significance of these battles was it led to the eventual linkup between the Anzio pocket in the south and Allied troops trapped farther north.  The linkup of forces led to the eventual capture of Rome, the first Axis capital to fall in the war.