Abbazia di Montecassino

About the museum

The abbey of Montecassino was founded between 529 and 530 by Saint Benedict of Norcia on the site of an ancient tower and a temple of Apollo, at 516 metres above sea level. It was destroyed several times – by the Lombards in 577, by the Saracens in 883 and by a severe earthquake in 1349 – and was rebuilt each time. In the 17th century it took on the character of Neapolitan Baroque.

On 15 February 1944, during the Battle of Montecassino, the abbey was bombed by Allied forces, who believed it was occupied by German troops; many civilians who had taken refuge in the building were killed. The reconstruction, which aimed to reproduce the destroyed architecture faithfully, lasted from 1948 to 1956, and the church was consecrated by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

The complex includes the Chiostro del Bramante, built in 1595, the entrance cloister on the site of the ancient temple of Apollo, and the Chiostro dei Benefattori with statues of popes and sovereigns. The library holds about 25,000 ancient volumes, including 198 incunabula. The Museo dell'Abbazia displays liturgical vestments, ivories, Italian silverware, sculptures, archaeological finds, and portals and fragments of the basilica.

Highlights

• Chiostro del Bramante and Chiostro dei Benefattori
• Basilica rebuilt after the bombing of 1944
• Abbey Museum with ivories, silverware and liturgical vestments
• Library with 198 incunabula

Permanent exhibition

• Museo dell'Abbazia – Sections devoted to liturgical vestments, ivories, Italian silverware, sculptures, archaeological finds, and portals and fragments of the basilica.

Founded

530

Operated by

Abbazia di Montecassino

Visitors per year

approx. 282,200

Admission & discounts

Fees of the Abbey Museum.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car from the A1 motorway, Cassino exit, then follow the signs for the mountain and a climb of about 8 km.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Online shop of the abbey.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit