Cassino

Cassino
Cassino
	— Comune —
Città di Cassino
	The town of Cassino from the upper part of the town.
	; Coat of arms
	; Coat of arms
	Cassino Location of Cassino in Italy
	Coordinates: 41°30′N 13°50′E / 41.5°N 13.833°E
Country	Italy
Region	Lazio
Province	Frosinone (FR)
Frazioni	Caira, Montecassino, San Cesareo, San Michele, San Pasquale, Sant'Angelo in Theodice, Sant'Antonino, San Bartolomeo
	Government
• Mayor	Giuseppe Golini Petrarcone
	Area
• Total	82.77 km2 (31.96 sq mi)
Elevation	40 m (130 ft)
	Population (1 January 2011)
• Total	33,153
• Density	400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Demonym	Cassinati
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	03043
Dialing code	0776
Patron saint	St. Benedict
Website	Official website

For other meanings, see Cassino (disambiguation)

Cassino is a comune in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio.

Cassino is located at the foot of Monte Cairo near the confluence of the Rapido and Liri rivers. The city is best known as the site of the Abbey of Montecassino and the Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II, which resulted in tremendous Allied and German casualties as well as the near total destruction of the town itself. Today, Cassino is also home to the University of Cassino and a FIAT automotive plant.

[edit] History

Cassino's origins lie in the Volscan settlement of Casinum, at the base of the nearby Monte Cairo. Casinum passed under the control of the Samnites, but the Romans eventually gained control of Casinum, establishing a colony there in 312 BC. At least once during Punic Wars, Hannibal passed near Casinum. Casinum was also the site of a villa belonging to Marcus Terentius Varro.

The modern town which arose on the site of the ancient town of Casinum was called San Germano, but on 28 July 1863 the name was officially reverted to "Cassino".

The area of the province of Frosinone, to which Cassino belongs, is popularly known in Italy - although some think rather improperly - as Ciociaria, which name comes from a type of footwear once worn by shepherds. The terrain is characterized by rolling green hills, vineyards, and rivers [1]. Because of its valley location, it is often foggy in the winter, with chilly rainfall. Summers are generally quite warm and humid.

The site of fierce fighting during the Battles of Monte Cassino during World War II, the old town was almost completely destroyed and was rebuilt south-east of its prior location in a relatively short space of time. Because of this, and despite the recent construction of a large number of new roads and roundabouts, the town has a somewhat disorderly road network. The city is developing commercially as well, following the construction of many shopping centres in the environs, which, however, also increase traffic congestion, particularly on the roads leading into the city.

[edit] Main sights

Abbey of Monte Cassino
Natural park of the Varronian Baths, located in the area Varro's villa
Rocca Janula, a castle overlooking the city, which was one of Abbey's historical strongholds
Cassino War Cemetery
Roman remains of a theatre, an amphitheatre and the Mausoleum of Ummidia Quadratilla