Our next stop on our Italy adventure is Rome! We left Sorrento and headed north to Rome, with a stop off at a really interesting place, the Catholic monastery of Monte Cassino. I’m not Catholic, but I can appreciate the historical significance and beauty of an Italian monastery. Perched high atop a mountain, Monte Cassino overlooks the town of Cassino and is well known in Italian history as a famous World War II battle site. The monastery went through several natural disasters and had been rebuilt several times and in 1944 sustained major bombings in the war, leaving much of it a pile of rubble. The Allies mistakenly thought the abbey was inhabited by the Germans, so it was bombed and the Italian government rebuilt the monastery more than a decade later.
The views atop the mountain were beautiful.
We had a tour guide go with us through the monastery, telling us of the history and significance of what we were seeing and it was very interesting.
Not to mention beautiful! The architecture in Italy is something to behold.
Beautiful outside courtyard garden area.
I couldn’t get over all the marble throughout Italy, it truly is a work of art. The colors and patterns were magnificent.
I don’t remember all the details to share with you, but it sure was beautiful to tour.
I do remember that these are fragments found after the bombings that were salvaged and now displayed.
We sure enjoyed the scenery.
The famous bronze doors from 1066 were recovered and restored. They were beautiful!
Inside the abbey was amazing! It was truly a work of art looking at the magnificence that met us inside the doors.
So awe-inspiring with beauty everywhere.
It’s almost too much to take in all at once.
Of course, we had to take a few pics of us in there too.
Again, all the marble!
Amazed and awed by the beauty!
I’ve never seen anything quite so majestic.
I couldn’t get over the details everywhere, like this post on the stairway. Absolute work of art!
And another.
The ceiling is entirely mosaic. I could hardly believe my eyes, seeing the tiny pieces that made up this beautiful creation.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stop at Monte Cassino.
If I remember, this statue was an original one that was recovered.
Oh the views!
We headed down the mountain and it was time for lunch. Today’s lunch was fun!
We stopped at a roadside grill, called the AutoGrill and they had lots of panini sandwiches to offer as well as lots of other fresh things to eat. This panini was delicious, along with the Italian soda. Mark was responsible for the peanut M&M’s. I hope you enjoyed seeing the magnificent Monte Cassino. It was a treat to see and deserved its own post!
I’d still love for you to join us next year on our Italian adventure to Florence, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera next April 2025. If you haven’t see that post, please check it out. We are signing people up now and I have several already signed up. We’d love for you to join us!Â
If you missed my other posts, catch up here:
Our Italy Adventure: Naples
Very lovely! I did not see this monastery but you have inspired me to go back and see it. God bless
Magnificent! You mentioned that this monastery was rebuilt in the 1950’s, however, can you imagine that these were originally built without benefit of the modern day construction tools and equipment! Talented craftsmen and engineers!
I love Italian AutoGrills. They’re always a fun adventure with lots of good food.
I need your purse for my next trip! 🙂
Those Autogrills are amazing. The freshness and the variety are over the top. Every time we stop at Wendy’s/KFC on the road, I grumble loudly why can’t we have Autogrills.
I agree Nancy, the AutoGrill was fantastic! I guess our next best is Bucee’s!
The peanut M&M’s made me crack up! They are a staple on our vacations (for my husband).
Must be a guy thing! 🙂
It must be, Lisa! Mark is a candy man.
Absolutely gorgeous pictures you shared. What beautiful memories that forever you and your husband will always have.
I have so enjoyed your tour of Italy. My husband and I visited several of the places you visited and loved it all! Sorrento, so beautiful… I could go on and on. Loved seeing Monte Cassino through your eyes since it was not on our tour. My dear uncle drove a tank there during WWII and was there during those terrible battles as they moved toward Rome. My uncle survived, although many did not, went through Rome and Germany and returned to Texas to live a full life. Such sacrifices made during that time. I really enjoy your blog and wish you many more wonderful trips!