Route of Saint Benedict from Roccasecca to Cassino

From here begins the final stage of the Way of St. Benedict, which ends in Montecassino.
Along the route, you will pass through several villages in the so-called "Land of Paths", each worthy of a visit for its rich millennial history. On your "Way," you can choose to stay with our local communities and immerse yourself in the history of a world that has left valuable traces here, lovingly preserved.

As you descend into the Liri Valley, you will discover dinosaur footprints and relive the history of ancient Italic peoples: Volsci and Samnites. You can explore the grandeur of Imperial Rome by visiting the archaeological areas of Aquinum, Casinum, and Lirenas Interamna, as well as the local and national museums found throughout the region.

Following the ancient Via Latina, which takes you to these historical sites, you will walk along a section of the Via Francigena in the South, on the Casilina variant. Here, you can choose to head towards St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome or Jerusalem. Many other paths intersect with these two major routes, most of them having a religious significance.

If you opt to visit the medieval castles, you will find imposing remnants of fortifications that date back to the 10th and 11th centuries. You can start at the Castle of Roccasecca, then continue to Colle San Magno to visit the medieval village and the Castellaccio (Castrum Coeli). Your journey can then take you to Terelle, San Vittore del Lazio, Cassino, Piedimonte San Germano, and Aquino.

Along the path, you will encounter signs indicating the Memory Cycle Path, guiding you through places that preserve the harshest testimonies of World War II. You may choose to follow the Great Memory Route, which is now part of the European Cultural Route called the "Liberation Route Europe", and stop by the Historiale Museum.

At the end of this journey, you will pass through the Polish Cemetery at Montecassino, where you will likely wish to pause and honor the young soldiers who sacrificed their lives here, fighting for the world’s freedom.

Upon completing this stage, you will be warmly welcomed by the Benedictine monks, in accordance with the Rule of St. Benedict (Ora et Labora et Lege) on hospitality (chapter 53). Standing on the terrace of the Abbey of Montecassino, you will understand why this land is known as the "Land of Saints" and the "Land of Paths".

Here, your thoughts will naturally turn to St. Benedict, patron saint of Europe, and his sister St. Scholastica, his pupil and later his equal as a spiritual teacher.