When the Germans realized the Allies were launching a full-scale attack on Italy, they retreated to the so-called “Gustav Line”—a natural defensive line of mountains stretching from the Tyrrhenian coast at Minturno all the way across the peninsula to the Adriatic coast at Ortona. The crucial section of this line was a small cluster of hills near Cassino, between Naples and Rome.
Over four brutal months and four fierce battles, around 30,000 soldiers lost their lives on both the Allied and Axis sides. These were men from all over the world—America, South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, and more—who fell among the stones of this rugged hill.
Finally, on May 18, 1944, Polish troops reached the summit and proudly raised first the Polish flag, followed by the British one.
The new Monte Cassino trail offers visitors the unique opportunity to follow the path of the Polish advance and attack on the ruins of the Monastery. Along the way, the trail highlights key locations such as where the Polish Corps were positioned, the site of the First Aid building, the starting point of the Cavendish Road, and more.
The trail begins at the parking area next to the new statue dedicated to General Anders—an updated statue that will be installed in the coming months—and ends at the summit, at the Abbey of Monte Cassino.
All along the trail, there are eleven “Points of Memory,” where historical signs explain the events that took place in each area. The entire trail is about twelve kilometers long and also includes the Cavendish Road historical path.
If the full trail feels too long, you can take a bus to the village of Caira, which shortens the walk—though you will miss some of the signs along the way.
Once you reach the end of the trail at the Abbey, you can easily return to Cassino’s town center by bus. Buses regularly run between the Abbey and the train station, making the return journey simple and convenient.
Here is the map if you want to follow the trail all the way to the top of Monte Cassino.
