Cassino
Cassino is a small town about 129 km south east of Rome (see the purple route near A1 on the map). On the way to the Abbey, from the narrow winding road leading from the town of Cassino, a large Polish WWll war cemetery can be seen. The Polish soldiers liberated the Abbey from the Germans on 18 May 1944.
Cassino is a small town about 129 km south east of Rome (see the purple route near A1 on the map). On the way to the Abbey, from the narrow winding road leading from the town of Cassino, a large Polish WWll war cemetery can be seen. The Polish soldiers liberated the Abbey from the Germans on 18 May 1944.
The Abbey of Montecassino
The Abbey lies on top of a large hill, 517m above sea level, above the city of Cassino. The relics of St Benedict (480-543 AD), the patron saint of Europe and the founder of western monasticism, and his sister, St Scholastica are found here. Pope Paul Vl proclaimed him the main patron saint of Europe.
The life and work of St Benedict has had a far-reaching impact across time and place.
Such a peaceful place - great spot for a Principals' retreat!
St Benedict founded the monastery in 529AD and it has been destroyed four times: in 577 by the barbarians, in 883 by the Saracens, an earthquake in 1849 and during the destruction associated with WWll. All the monks survived this 6 hour bombardment by the allies. The monastery was rebuilt after 1944 using the old plans.
As a young man St Benedict was a hermit in a small cave in Subiaco. He became well known for his wisdom and ability to work miracles and as a consequence he attracted people to him - not good for someone who wanted to be a hermit!
The life and work of St Benedict has had a far-reaching impact across time and place.
Such a peaceful place - great spot for a Principals' retreat!
St Benedict founded the monastery in 529AD and it has been destroyed four times: in 577 by the barbarians, in 883 by the Saracens, an earthquake in 1849 and during the destruction associated with WWll. All the monks survived this 6 hour bombardment by the allies. The monastery was rebuilt after 1944 using the old plans.
As a young man St Benedict was a hermit in a small cave in Subiaco. He became well known for his wisdom and ability to work miracles and as a consequence he attracted people to him - not good for someone who wanted to be a hermit!
In Montecassino he wrote his Rule, a set of guidelines for laymen wishing to live a spiritual life pleasing to God. The Rule of St. Benedict soon became the pattern for monastic rules.
St Benedict died supported, standing up with his arms reaching towards heaven, in 543. He was buried in a tomb with his sister, St. Scholastica.
The monastery was attacked not long after St Benedict's death and was rebuilt. By the 11th century it was the wealthiest monastery in the world.
Montecassino is still a working monastery with 27 monks. The property is owned by the Government but the monks are permitted to live here.
The monks vows are: chastity, poverty, obedience and stability - they are not permitted to move to another monastery but are not cloistered. However, novices may move to different communities. The rule of stability was added during medieval times as the monks were wandering all over the place!
The entrance to the monastery
Montecassino was the site of the first school and Thomas Aquinas went to school here before he went to Naples. Benedict educated boys who were offered to the monastery. Cathedrals then started setting up schools.
The Benedictines were brought to Australia in the 1840s by Archbishop Polding, himself a Benedictine.
The first church was dedicated to St Martin of Tours seen above on the right.
St Benedict
Old frescoes in the monastery
Frescoes showing scenes from the life of St Benedict
St Benedict's room, the only original part left after the bombing in World War ll. The Roman tower on the left was built in the 2nd century BC.
The miracle stone at the base of this altar is where St Benedict is believed to have fallen at one time and tradition says the stone became soft like a pillow and left the impression of his arm.
The old entrance nearby Benedict's cell was where the monks escaped the bombing.
Doves, a sign of peace, are important to the monastery.
Statues of popes and kings who have shown generosity to the abbey. The statues were not affected by the bombing.
A statue of Benedict's mother
The door was made in Constantinople and installed in 1066. It was restored after WWll.
Fresco with St Benedict in the centre and the woman in black to the right is St Scholastica. The artist is in the bottom right hand corner.
A baroque church built using 80 types of marble
St Benedict and St Scholastica, his twin sister, are buried together under the altar. They died 40 days apart with St Scholastica dying first.
The wooden choir stalls are where the monks sing Gregorian chant vespers every day. The organ has 5200 pipes.
Overlooking Cassino from the monastery
We listened to the beautiful Gregorian chants of the monks as we made our journey down the hill to lunch.
We listened to the beautiful Gregorian chants of the monks as we made our journey down the hill to lunch.
Back to Rome!
The Colosseum
was constructed between 72 and 80AD by the Emperor Vespasian followed by his son Titus (both of the Flavian dynasty). It was built on the site of a large artificial lake built by the Emperor Nero.
St Ignatius of Antioch, who was made a bishop by St Peter, was martyred by lions in the Colosseum. In 110AD, as an old man, he was forced by the Romans to march to Rome from Antioch - a distance of 1700kms! Ignatius wrote his famous letters whilst on the march.
The games held in the Colosseum lasted 100 days.
The Colosseum has 12m foundations. The Flavian amphitheatre had a big statue of Nero (colossal) outside. The statue was later melted and the name of the structure was changed to the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is a religious place. Since the end of the 15th century the Passion of Christ has been performed here. The Pope comes here for four of the fourteen Stations of the Cross.
The Menorah silver trumpet was taken from the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem and taken to Rome. It was stolen centuries later during an attack on Rome.
Rome is the site of the oldest Jewish community, since the second century BC, in Europe.
There was a stage full of trapdoors with ramps for the animals. The stage held wild animals, palm trees and rocks.
Events started with a procession past the Emperor of musicians, hunters, gladiators and heavy animals.
Criminals on stage were sacrificed to the animals, with the gladiators (slaves) in the afternoon.
Christian Martyrs were executed as common criminals by crucifixion or "damnatio ad bestia" (being thrown to the wild beasts).
The faith and courage of these early Christians, and the Christians we left behind in the Holy Land, certainly challenges our faith.
Christian Martyrs were executed as common criminals by crucifixion or "damnatio ad bestia" (being thrown to the wild beasts).
The faith and courage of these early Christians, and the Christians we left behind in the Holy Land, certainly challenges our faith.
Medieval Rome was built using materials taken from the Colosseum.
Cleaning of the Colosseum is costing $25 million
Marble construction materials on the first level with brick above.
Original pavement at one of the entrances
A great pilgrim shot!
