Cassino (FR)

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Comune di Cassino
Coat of arms of Comune di Cassino
Municipal coat of arms

Location of Cassino in Italy
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Lazio
Province Frosinone (FR)
Mayor Bruno Vincenzo Scittarelli
Elevation 40 m (131 ft)
Area 82 km² (32 sq mi)
Population (as of December 31, 2004)
 - Total 32,593
 - Density 397/km² (1,028/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 41°30′N, 13°50′E
Gentilic Cassinati
Dialing code 0776
Postal code 03043
Patron 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 foot of Monte Cairo near the confluence of the Rapido and Liri rivers. The city is best known as the site of the Abbey of Montecassino and the Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II, which resulted in tremendous Allied and German casualties as well as the near total destruction of the town itself. Today, Cassino is also home to the University of Cassino and a FIAT automotive plant.

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[edit] History

The town of Cassino from the upper part of the town
The town of Cassino from the upper part of the town

Cassino's origins lie 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 in a relatively quick time. Thanks to this, even with the construction of a large numbers of roundabout sign and new junction, the town has a somewhat disordered network of roads. The commercial expansion is growing really fast with the opening of many shopping mall that also created a traffic congestion, in particularly to the roads which access to the city.

[edit] Twin cities

[edit] Sports

Cassino's football team plays in the Italian Serie C2.

[edit] People from Cassino

[edit] See also