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| − | '''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.[[Image:AbbeyMontecassino.jpg |right|250px|thumb|Abbey Montecassino]] | + | [[Image:MontecasinoAbbey1.jpg|left|350px|thumb|Ancient Abbey Montecassino]] |
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| | + | '''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.[[Image:AbbeyMontecassino.jpg |right|250px|thumb|Modern Abbey Montecassino]] |
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| | + | 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. |
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| | + | 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. |
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| − | 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.
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| − | Around 577, the monastery was destroyed by the Longobards of Zotone, Duke of Beneventum, but early in the eighth century Pope Gregory II commissioned the Brescian Petronace to rebuild the monastery.
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| − | In 883, the Saracens invaded and sacked the Monastery and burnt it down, causing the death of Bertarius its saint Abbot, Founder of mediaeval Cassino.
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| | == The Battle of Monte Casino, World War II == | | == The Battle of Monte Casino, World War II == |
| − | [[Image:Monstry.gif|right|2000px|thumb|Abbey Montecassino in 1944.]] | + | [[Image:Montecassino2_map.gif |right|350px|thumb|Battle of Montecassino]] |
| − | On February 15, 1944, during the final stage of [[World War II]] Monte Cassino was in the firing line between two armies. In three hours was reduced to a heap of debris and cinders.
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| − | The Abbey was rebuilt in the following decade according to the ancient architectural pattern.
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