SANT'ELIA FIUMERAPIDO
 
                    Built in the 9th Century, Sant'Elia was feudal
 property of Montecassino and it's destiny was linked to that of the
 great Abbey.  Due to its many rivers, Sant'Elia had many factories that
 produced paper for Montecassino's scriptorium, Merino wool, flour mills,
 and olive oil production.  It was the first town in the Roman
 countryside to have electricity due to its many rivers.   Sant'Elia experienced
 great economic downturn after the unification of Italy in 1870 as many
 of the factories were closed and moved to Northern Italy, the home of
 the ruling Savoy's.  During WWII Sant'Elia was 60% destroyed and many
 residents were forced to emigrate to survive.  A famous battle took
 place in Sant'Elia which involved the 36th Texas Infantry Division who
 tried to cross the swollen River Rapido in January and was completely
 decimated by the Germans.  A movie was made about this battle, entitled The
 Devil's Brigade.  
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> Sant'Elia is often referred as Cassino's bedroom because many people
 who work in Cassino have purchased villas in the Sant'Elian countryside
 where they can still find vineyards and olive groves.  Sant'Elia's
 population is 6400 and the historical center still has cobble stone
 streets and many medieval elements.