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Places of interest
The Montecassino Abbey, the most famous Benedictine abbey, was founded by Saint Benedict from Norcia in the 6th century and was soon to become an important religious center. The abbey did not experience an easy life: it was ravaged several times by the Saracens and the Lombards, and even mother nature hit it ruthlessly with the earthquake of 1349. In the period going from the 16th to the 18th century, it experienced a new period of splendor. Unfortunately, during the second world war, the Montecassino Abbey was completely destroyed.
On February 15, 1944, 229 flying fortresses bombed the abbey in two different waves, dropping nearly 400 tons of bombs that caused the complete destruction of the abbey. The decision to bomb the Montecassino Monastery was taken by General Alexander, on the proposal of the New Zealand General Freyberg. Based on an aerial reconnaissance that later proved groundless, it was believed that the Germans had turned the building into an actual fortress.
Actually, Marshal Kesselring had established a frank zone around the abbey, assuring the Vatican that no German soldier would have ever set foot in the monastery.
Owing to a tragic irony, after the bombardment had destroyed the ancient abbey, the Germans moved their positions to the rise of Mount Cairo where they placed their artilleries...
The building was subsequently rebuilt respecting in full the 17th century structure. There are three cloisters: the one at the center has a 16th century structure, while the two side cloisters date back to the 18th century. There is also a 17th century cloister attributed to Antonio Sangallo. The baroque church is mostly the work of C. Fanzago, while the bronze portals are by P. Canonica (1951). The mosaics decorated crypt is by Lenz Wish and contains a few frescos by Annigoni. The 18th century Sacristy preserves paintings by Vaccaio and G. M. Crespi.
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A final curiosity: the grave of Saint Benedict and the crypt were the only structures to escape the bombs. Even the library and the archives escaped destruction because they were moved to a safe place before the bombing.
The Montecassino Abbey is 96 km away from Fiuggi by motorway, and may be reached in little more than an hour. Otherwise, taking a state road, it is 84 km away and may be reached in about two hours.
The Casamari Abbey was built on the ruins of the ancient Roman municipium called Cereatae, being dedicated to the goddess Ceres. Casamari is a name of Latin origin and means “Mario's house”, the home of the Roman Consul Caius Marius, a famous leader and Silla’s enemy. It is nearly 30 min. away from Fiuggi.
Fumone Castle
The structure of the Fumone castle is a typical military fortress of the Middle Ages. Set on top of a mountain, it is surrounded by mountainous chains and woods. Being inaccessible, the fortress sheltered for five centuries within its walls the enemies of the church. It is 10 min away from Fiuggi. |
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The Cathedral of Anagni was built between 1071 and 1105. Its façade preserves nearly unchanged its Romanesque-Lombard style. Noteworthy are the round arch of the “Matron portal” framed by Byzantine braids, and the impressive structure of the apses on the North side. It is 20 min. away from Fiuggi.
The Trisulti Carthusian Monastery is located at the foot of the Rotonaria Mountain in the Collepardo Municipality. Unfortunately, to-date only a few abandoned ruins are left of this monastic complex, built by San Dominic from Foligno around the year 1000. It is 20 min. away from Fiuggi.
Veroli was founded close to the 12th century B.C. by a colony of Pelasgian-Ernic peoples coming from Greece that settled on the slopes of the Ernici mountains. The place was called Ernico from the word “Erna” which means “stone”. It is 20 min. away from Fiuggi.
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A prehistoric town, Alatri – the Roman “Aletrium” - was founded by the Ernic people and the legend places it side by side with the other Saturnian - also called Pelasgian – cities. However, looking at the mighty megalithic polygonal walls (three city walls) that surround the acropolis and the historical center of the city, the layout of which resembles that of may other cities in Ancient Greece and Asia Minor (first of all Athens ), mythology leaves space to history. It is 15 min. away from Fiuggi.
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