Piedimonte San Germano alta - Rocca Janula

If you descend into the valley and follow the path of the Via Francigena in the South, taking the Via di Santa Scolastica, you arrive in front of the National Museum G. Carettoni of Cassino, and as you head towards Cassino, you pass right in front of the gate of the Castle of Rocca Janula.

This castle is also the work of Abbot Aligerno. It is located at 187 meters above sea level, halfway between Cassino and Montecassino, which is situated at 516 meters above sea level. It was built to defend the monastery and therefore had an expressed military purpose, although it could accommodate up to 2,000 people in case of need.

Abbot Gerardo intervened to strengthen the castle after the earthquake of 1004, and Abbot Roffredo and Atenolfo continued the fortification work in the following century. The history of the castle is long because it has always been either feared or used.

Unfortunately, the bombings by the Allies during the four battles of Montecassino severely damaged it, leaving only the pentagonal tower and the perimeter walls and internal buildings standing. Restoration work has allowed for its reopening since September 25, 2015.