In the morning I rented a car in Pescara (expect to pay 20 euro per day with basic insurance and unlimited mileage). Then I drove 200 kms through the picturesque Apenine mountains to the little town of Cassino. A huge mountain, 500 m high, with monastery on the top is overlooking the town and main road Rome – Naples. To control this important road during WW2 Germans fortified the monastery. It was taken only by Polish troops after heavy fights. 1050 Polish soldiers died in action – they are buried on the war cemetery below the monastery.
For the Poles it is like pilgrimage place.
I was in Italy 6 or 7 times, but Monte Cassino was always of my trail. Today the day arrived to salute the heroes… They died here for the freedom of Poland…
The huge Benedictine Monastery containing the grave of St Benedict was rebuilt and is open for visitors. Entry is free except the museum. If you do not have a car public bus go there few times a day… Otherwise it is sternous climb. I was lucky regarding the weather: after mostly cloudy day the sun was shining just before sunset,when I was there…
