It is said that three ravens led St. Benedict to this spot in AD 529, and the abbey that he founded here became one of the most important in the medieval world, housing an impressive library that became known as the “Lighthouse of Western Civilization”. The complex has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, most recently after World War II, and today you can tour its quiet cloisters and Basilica, where the remains of Saint Benedict and Scholastica are housed. Highlights of the complex include the crypt, decorated with intricate golden mosaics, and the museum, home to a collection of historic paintings, manuscripts, and books.
Located south of Rome, Montecassino Abbey is a popular day trip from the capital city, or a stopover between Rome and highlights of southern Italy like Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, and Gaeta and Terracina. Modern history enthusiasts can opt for a tour that combines a trip to the abbey and other significant WWII battle sites with a stop at the Anzio War Cemetery.