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The Archaeological Area of Casinum: a walk through ancient Rome at the foot of Montecassino
In Cassino, at the very foot of the road leading up to Montecassino, you can walk quite literally in history. The Archaeological Area of Casinum preserves an intact stretch of the Via Latina, the road that led to Rome. Along the route you encounter the remains of the ancient city, from the Roman Theatre of Cassino to the mausoleum of a noblewoman. And everything is brought together in the nearby Museo Archeologico Carettoni, which houses its treasures.
Ancient spectacles and public life
The amphitheatre, built in part making use of the hillside slope, dates back to the first century. But the true protagonist here is a woman: Ummidia Quadratilla. An inscription attributes to her the construction of this place of entertainment. She is also honoured by the imposing mausoleum visible nearby — a sepulchre of large limestone blocks built for a true benefactress of the city.
Inside a Roman house and in the museum
A little further up, the Ponari Nymphaeum is revealed. This was the artificial grotto of a wealthy domus — a patrician house — complete with a small atrium and a basin for collecting rainwater. Inside the museum, the puzzle comes together. Relics taken from the theatre include the cast of the Hero of Cassino, the original of which is in Naples, and an incredibly well-preserved funeral bed made of bone. Here you can truly come to understand how people lived.
The archaeological area and the museum are located in Via di Montecassino. It is advisable to check up-to-date opening times and admission fees on the official website of the Direzione Musei Lazio before your visit, as these may vary seasonally.
