Around 526 AD, a rich young man named Benedict came to Subiaco (East of Rome) in search of a place for meditation and prayer.  He lived in a cavern and was joined by other young men, thus the monastic order of the Benedictines was created.  In 529 AD Benedict and his monks moved to Montecassino and founded the Abbey.  The Abbey of Montecassino became one of the most important religious and cultural institutions of the Middle Ages and was famous for its rich collections of illuminated manuscripts, frescoes and mosaics.  

During World War II, after the American forces entered Naples, Nazi Germany decided to use Montecassino as a defense fortress, in order to stop the Allied advance towards Rome.  The Abbey sits on a high hill that dominates the area.  After many attempts at taking out the German forces without harming the monastery failed, the decision was made to bomb.  The Germans were obliterated, but so was the Abbey.  Fortunately, the monks were able to hide from destruction the manuscripts and other treasures.  The Abbey was rebuilt after the war using the original plans, stones  and construction material.  Today the Abbey of Montecassino looks beautiful and it is hard to believe that such a calm and serene place was the scene of mayhem and destruction.