Da Castrocielo a Piedimonte San Germano

You are walking the final stage of the Way of Saint Benedict, which ends at the Abbey of Montecassino.

At the end of this journey, you will be embraced by the hospitality of the Benedictine monks according to the teaching of the Rule (Ora et Labora et Lege) of Saint Benedict on welcome (chap. 53).

Other monks, on the other hand, have departed from the Abbey and have gone into the world to spread the word of God.

In their footsteps, other religious pathways have been established. You have many travel alternatives and many discoveries to make because the area is rich in numerous heritages that the local communities are willing to share with you if you decide which other Routes to follow, in addition to the one you are on.

If you turn left towards the heights of Mount Asprano from where you are, you can see Castellaccio (Castrum Coeli) at 750 m above sea level, and upon reaching the medieval village of Colle San Magno, you can visit the Memory Museum. Continuing straight along the Way, you will find the high village of Piedimonte San Germano where you can visit the castle, the strategic Oppidum Pedismontis, and from there admire the entire Liri Valley. (CASTLES)

If you come on Easter Monday, you can attend the ceremony of the Kiss of the Two Madonnas at the hermitage chapel at the top of the mountain. (SAINTS)

If instead you turn right, you have the option to go down to the valley and, crossing the Casilina, visit the archaeological area of Aquinum and the museum of Aquino, following the ancient Via Latina. In those places, you can choose to continue your archaeological visit by going to Pignataro Interamna (the theater) and to Cassino where you will find the G. Carettoni National Museum and the archaeological area of Casinum (ARCHAEOLOGY).

There, on the Hill of Memory, you will find an obelisk that commemorates the sacrifice of Polish soldiers. Piedimonte was indeed the stronghold of the Hitler Line, the second German defensive line after the Gustav Line. The places that these two Ways cross today make up the Grand Path of Memory, which is part of the Liberation Route Europe (LRE), along which you can directly grasp the tremendous consequences of the War. (MEMORY)

Along the route, you will pass through the villages of the municipalities in this area, all worthy of being visited for their millennia-old history; do not forget, however, that it is this territory, as a whole, for its environment as well as for its history, that constitutes the greatest heritage to enjoy.