St. Benedict established his first monastery, the source of the Benedictine Order, at Monte Cassino around 529AD. The abbey became a model for future developments. Unfortunately its prominent site has always made it an object of strategic importance.

The Abbey itself has been destroyed and rebuilt four times over the centuries. Invaded in 577, razed in 883, destroyed by an earthquake in 1389, and finally bombed to rubble, in 1944.