Our 2 Italian Sister Cities Both of which are in the Region well known for the Montecassino Monastery featured here.
	SANT'ELIA FIUMERAPIDO Built in the 9th Century, Sant'Elia was feudal property of Montecassion and it's destiny linked to that of the great Abbey ...more>>
	CASSINO A city in the Lazio Region of Italy (the Roman countryside) with a population of approximately 40,000 people. When is was a Roman outpost its name was Casinum ...more>>
Montecassino (also spelled Monte Cassino), a small town about 80 miles south of Rome, is the home of the sacred relics and monastery of St. Benedict (480-543), the patron saint of Europe and the founder of western monasticism.
Since its founding by St. Benedict in 529 AD, Montecassino Monastery has had a troubled history, suffering from repeated attacks, pillage, and natural disasters. Most recently, it was the site of a terrible battle during World War II that resulted in great loss of life and complete destruction of the monastic buildings. Despite its significant and frequent setbacks, the monastery has always been rebuilt. The building that stands today was constructed after 1944 using the old plans. A museum displays examples of medieval monastic art and other artifacts, the basilica is richly decorated in stucco and mosaics, and pilgrims still come to pray before the relics of Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica, which survived the bombings.