Monte Cassino

Travelled : 154km took autoroute €9.80 from Rome
Visited:Monte Cassino Abbey and Polish War Cemetery
Stay: Monte Cassino car park €8/24h no services GPS N41°29.3796' E13°48.7320'

We had a relaxing start to the day. Chatting to family on skype, Mark listened to an other disappointing Bomber game and a dump, fill and clean for Bluey. We then had an easy drive along the motorway to Monte Cassino. After paying our fee to the attendant we parked in the shade of some pines and went to visit the beautiful abbey that had been destroyed in WWII. It is known as the mother church of the Benedictine order, founded by St Benedict in 529. This holds a special bond to us because Mark and our children attended St.Benedict's School. By the 11th century it had become one of the most richest monasteries in Europe.
During WWII it was assumed that it was a German strong hold and so it was a target for Allied bombing. The complex was devastated but the walls remained. Please refer to Wikipedia for in-depth information regarding the battle.

After strolling through the now peaceful and still used complex, including the amazing church, which had some astonishing marble and mosaic work, we drove down to the Polish War Cemetery. We familiarised ourselves with the war history in the newly created museum and then went to honour the fallen that sacrificed their lives for the better of ours. Around Cassino there are other cemeteries for the British, American and other allied forces including Australia.