Cassino, Italy
| Cassino | |
|---|---|
| Comune | |
| Città di Cassino | |
The town of Cassino from the upper part of the town.
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 Cassino
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| Coordinates: 41°30′N 13°50′E / 41.500°N 13.833°ECoordinates: 41°30′N 13°50′E / 41.500°N 13.833°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Lazio |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Frosinone (FR) |
| Frazioni | Caira, Montecassino, San Cesareo, San Michele, San Pasquale, Sant'Angelo in Theodice, Sant'Antonino, San Bartolomeo |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Carlo Maria D'Alessandro from 22/06/2016 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 82.77 km2 (31.96 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Population (31 August 2015) | |
| • Total | 35,860 |
| • Density | 430/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Cassinati |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 03043 |
| Dialing code | 0776 |
| Patron saint | St. Benedict |
| Website | Official website |
Cassino ['kas'sino] is a comune in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio.
Cassino is located at the foot of Monte Cairo near the confluence of the Gari and Liri rivers. The city is best known as the site of the Abbey of Montecassino and the Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II, which resulted in huge Allied and German casualties as well as the near total destruction of the town itself. It is also home to the University of Cassino.
Cassino has a population of 35,860 As of August 2015[update], making it the second largest town in the province.
Cassino's origins lie in the Volscan settlement of Casinum, sited atop the hill of Cassino near Monte Cairo, five kilometres to the north. Casinum passed under the control of the Samnites, but the Romans eventually gained control of Casinum, establishing a fortified colony there in 312 BC.
During the Roman era the most venerated god was Apollo, whose temple rose up on Monte Cassino, where today stands the abbey. At least once during Punic Wars, Hannibal passed near Casinum. Casinum was also the site of a villa presumed to belong to Marcus Terentius Varro.
The ancient Casinum was deeply damaged by several barbarian raids. In the book Dialogues, Pope Gregory I gives us the testimony of the Benedict of Nursia settlement among the ruins of Casinum Acropolis. He destroyed the image of Apollo and pagan altars, and sanctified the place in name of St. John Baptist. From that moment on, he would never leave Monte Cassino: he founded the monastery that became a model for the Western monasticism and one of the major cultural centers of Europe throughout the Middle Agesand and wrote the "Rule", containing precepts for his monks. In the meanwhile the population built a village called Castellum Sancti Petri.
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Wikipedia