![]() The bombing of the abbey was a difficult decision since most of the enemy fire came from the slopes below the monastery. It was directly on top of the hill and provided German forces with an intact structure which could have bee used as a fortress to hold the hill. The destruction of the monastery came in the end because it happened to be there. After the american and free-french troops failed to take the hill, new zealand 2nd division and 4th indian division were brought in to help in the struggle. After two consecutive battles american forces failed to take the hill which was defended by elements of german Xth army. The german Xth army moved to occupy and defend the town and hill which controlled access to the Liri valley. Located atop the hill that dominated the valley below and the town it became a strategic position. Most of the details were late renaissance and the abbey also held a collection of renaissance art, paintings mostly.Īnd so it came that a fierce battle was to be fought in and around the place where the Benedictine order formed and built its first monastery. The monastery was rebuild and refurbished throughout the ages so that by 1944 it looked like during its last great renovation in 1505 but you could still see elements of early romanesque architecture of the early 11th century. ![]() Located on top of monte Cassino was a benedictine monastery that was there from 529 a.d. The allies were fighting a desperate battle to break the Gustav Line and in order to gain access to the road to Rome the town of Cassino had to fall. The Benedictine Abbey on Monte CassinoĪ famous topic during late 1943 early 1944 was the battle of Monte Cassino. To understand why they were rebuilt, one only needs to take a look at the building, know its story of how it came to be and especially how it came to an apparent end during World War 2. It took a great effort and time to rebuild these lost monuments after the war, so that their story and heritage may be preserved for future generations. Five buildings destroyed during WW2 now rebuilt are standing against you today, all iconic, all masterpieces. World War 2 saw destruction on a massive scale and some buildings of great historical and cultural importance were lost during 1939-1945, especially in Europe were the conflict raged within urban centers. War brings an unprecedented amount of destruction, and in its whirlwind lives, culture and civilization are sometimes lost. A building has 2 great enemies, the first is obviously time ,during its passing all other elements take its toll on the building and the other, sometimes far greater, is war.
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