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Home > Travel Italy > Italy Destinations > Cassino
Cassino
Italy, officially the Italian Republic or Repubblica Italiana, is a Southern European country comprising of the Po River valley, the Italian Peninsula and the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. It is shaped like a boot and for this reason Italians commonly call it lo Stivale, the boot or, due to its prevalent peninsular geographical nature, la Penisola, the Peninsula.
Cassino is a municipality in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio. Cassino is located at the base of Monte Cairo at the confluence of the Liri and Rapido rivers. Today, it is the site of a FIAT, Fabbrica Italiana Automobile Torino auto plant and the University of Cassino. The city is most famous for being the site of the Abbey of Montecassino. Many German, British, Polish, French, Italian, and American soldiers died during the fierce omonymous battle in 1944 are buried in nearby cemeteries.
Cassino's origins lie in the Volsci settlement of Casinum, at the base of the nearby Monte Cairo. Casinum passed under the control of the Samnites, but the Romans eventually gained control of Casinum, establishing a colony there in 312 BCE, Before the Christian Era. At least once during Punic Wars, Hannibal passed near Casinum. Casinium was also the site of a villa belonging to Marcus Terentius Varro.
The modern town which arose on the site of the ancient town of Casinum was called San Germano, but in on 28 July 1863 the name was officially reverted to Cassino. The site of fierce fighting during the Battles of Monte Cassino during World War II, the old town was almost completely destroyed and was rebuilt south-east of its prior location.
Cassino can also be described as the best geographical environment and can trace its origins back to prehistoric times. This is evident from the archaeological sites found throughout Cassino. Today, one can also learn about its history, from its earliest times and gain enthusiasm in its natural beauty and populace.
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