Cassino (FR)

Comune di {{{name}}}
Comune di {{{name}}}
Comune
	Comune di {{{name}}} Location of {{{official_name}}} in Italy Comune di {{{name}}} Comune di {{{name}}} (Lazio)
	Coordinates: 41°30′N 13°50′E / 41.500°N 13.833°E
Country	Italy
Region	Lazio
Province	Frosinone (FR)
Government
• Mayor	Bruno Vincenzo Scittarelli
Demonym	Cassinati
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	03043
Dialing code	0776
Patron saint	St. Benedict
Website	www.comune.cassino.fr.it

Cassino is a comune in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio.

Cassino is located at the base of Monte Cairo at the confluence of the Liri and Rapido rivers. Today, it is the site of a FIAT auto plant and the University of Cassino.

The city is most famous for being the site of the Abbey of Montecassino. United States, British, Polish, New Zealand, Indian, French, Moroccan, Brazillian and Italian soldiers died during the fierce omonymous battle (1944). Many are buried in nearby cemeteries.

History

Cassino's origins lie in in the Volsci settlement of Casinum , at the base of the nearby Monte Cairo. Casinum passed under the control of the Samnites, but the Romans eventually gained control of Casinum, establishing a colony there in 312 BCE. At least once during Punic Wars, Hannibal passed near Casinum. Casinium was also the site of a villa belonging to Marcus Terentius Varro.

The modern town which arose on the site of the ancient town of Casinum was called San Germano, but in on 28 July, 1863 the name was officially reverted to "Cassino".

The site of fierce fighting during the Battles of Monte Cassino during World War II, the old town was almost completely destroyed and was rebuilt south-east of its prior location.