THE LAND OF ST. THOMAS

VILLA SANTA LUCIA – ancient and one of the most important granaries of the Abbey of Montecassino, it was the scene of episodes of violence against the population by German troops.
TO SEE – the convent of Madonna delle Grazie, the hamlet of Piumarola with the remains of a castle, the sanctuary founded by St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict, and Roman epigraphs.

PIEDIMONTE SAN GERMANO – A stronghold of the Hitler line, it became the scene of major war operations. It was bombed and liberated by the Poles, to whom a monument is dedicated.
TO SEE – The ruins of the thousand-year-old castle and the discovery of numerous archaeological finds. In the historical centre, the medieval castle of the Counts of Aquino, recently restored, hosts cultural and artistic events.

AQUINO – of medieval origin and the birthplace of Saint Thomas, it was involved for eleven months in the tragic events of the Second World War: from the bombing of the airport to the complete destruction of the town.
TO SEE – the church of S. Maria della Libera, the remains of the castle of the Counts of Aquino with its majestic tower and the house of St. Thomas, the remains of Roman monuments such as the amphitheatre and the public baths.

CASTROCIELO – was completely devastated by expulsion, abandonment and the search for refuge in the mountains, in caves that can still be seen today.
THINGS TO SEE – the church of S. Lucia, the Monacato, the lake of Capodacqua, of incomparable natural beauty, and the picture gallery of the church of San Rocco with frescoes from the Monacato and the church of Capodacqua. The remains of a Roman villa dating back to the Republican period and the remains of the ancient Roman colony of Aquinum have been found near the town. Among the most famous events is the meeting of the Madonnas of Castrocielo and Colle San Magno on Easter Monday.

ROCCASECCA – of strategic importance, it was subjected to heavy and continuous bombardment by the Allies, culminating in the terrible attack on the railway station on 23 October 1943.
TO SEE – the archaeological park of the Castle of the Counts of Aquino with the birthplace and church of St. Thomas Aquinas, the 14th century Romanesque-Gothic Church of St. Thomas, the “Cannon”, a cylindrical tower where St. Thomas was imprisoned, and the Hermitage of the Holy Spirit.

COLLE SAN MAGNO – was a strategic point for the Germans, who used the mule track connecting the village to Terelle to supply the front.
THINGS TO SEE – the church of S. Magno, the church of Maria S. S. in Cielo on Mount Asprano with frescoes dating back to the 18th century, the old town centre with its typical arches, the Civic Tower, the ruins of the Castrum Coeli (11th century) and the valleys with chestnut and beech groves with the ruins of farmhouses in the locality of Settare. The remains of a necropolis and rudimentary weapons date back to the Stone Age. It is an excellent starting point for excursions to Mount Cairo and the truffle woods.