I'm spending a week in Rome and would like to see Montecassino area. I'm a WW2 buff and would like to see it for that reason. Best way to get there from Rome? Any mass transit as I may not have a car?

bringing you to the top. <BR>Good luck in your search for info. <BR>Have you tried a text search here? <BR>Type in montecassino in the Text Search Box at top of this page, <BR>and it will pull up all references with montecassino, plus more! <BR>It loads slow, so do not give up hope. <BR> <BR>I really hope you can get there. <BR>I was very moved by the place. <BR>and as it is a working abbey, <BR>it just feels so amazing there. <BR> <BR>Remember to check on road conditions!

JJ, <BR>There is a local train that leaves Rome termini for Cassino regularly. Check the train schedules on: <BR>http://www.fs-on-line.com/welcome.html <BR>I takes about 1 1/2 hours. I don't know if Cassino has taxi service. <BR>It is also an easy drive from Rome to Cassino entirely by the autostrada. <BR>You will enjoy the trip up to Monte Cassino. Very impressive. Been there three times. My family roots are about 20 miles from there. Many interesting sights in that area including Alatri,Arpino and Gaeta. <BR>

jj, <BR> <BR>My husband and I visited there 3 years ago. I complained cause I didn't want to stop. Glad we did. It was a wonderful afternoon, and quite an interesting place. It sits up pretty high and the views down into the valley are spectacular. I would think you could get pretty close to it by train, and then possibly a taxi. I'd check around and see if there are any buses that would go directly there. There has been a woman posting from Rome, I believe she is giving tours, and she may be helpful. I'll look for her name, and get back with you.

JJ,<BR>I failed to mention earlier that since you are a WW2 buff, don't miss the German Cemetery at the foot of Montecassino. It is well kept up by the German Government(I think) with beautiful stone engravings and carvings depicting the battles in an around Cassino and Caserta.<BR>You may also want to visit the American Cemeteries in the area.<BR>I doubt that any buses from Rome stop any closer than trains to Montecassino unless you took a tour bus.<BR>

There is also a Polish cemetary, and if you go in the afternoon you can hear the monks singing vespers, these Benedictines know how to do it right! The views are awsome, but don't only stick to military sights, afterall, it is from this exact spot that Christianity was spread all over Europe, in many ways it is the 'heart' of our western european culture. Which is why the decision to shell it was so sad, not making any judgements about the necessity of it.

GIJoe,<BR>you are absolutely right about Christianity in the area. St Thomas Aquinas was born in Arpino and was known as the son of Arpino.<BR>The Polish cemetary is there because they were the ones under General Anders(who was Polish) that finally took the mountain from the Germans after many months of unsuccessful fighting by various allied armies. Truly, a lot to see in this area.

http://www.italywithus.com/ezine_2001/102001/index.htm<BR><BR>You might find this interesting jj.<BR>The present Pope visited the Polish cemetary as soon as he became Pope - his first visit outside Rome.<BR>

Go, by all means, but don't forget the lengthy Italian lunch hour, when you do. As my husband and I were driving up the mountain, just before noon, we commented on all the cars and buses heading down. By the time we got to the top, the buildings themselves were closed, although we were able to visit the Polish cemetary. All in all a memorable trip.