“Commune sealed on the edge of the “Gustav” line and a few kilometres from Cassino, occupied by German troops, suffered violent looting, devastation and continuous bombardment that caused the death of numerous citizens, as well as the almost complete destruction of the built heritage. The population, forced to take refuge in the neighbouring villages, was able to resist the hardships and [...].
34 innocent civilians of Atina died during the German occupation and there were many more injured and mamed during the bombing and shelling of the town and the surrounding area. Filippo Amato Giacinto Bartolummuci, Cristina Bastianelli, Maria Bastianelli, Teresa Bove, Fortunato Bracciale Cleto Caira, Ernesto Caira, Silvio Caira, Paolo Carbone, Orazio Coppola, Carmela Corsi Lucia D'Annunzio, Enrico De Angelis, Francesco De Angelis, Mario De Ciantis, Vincenzo Del Prete, Giovanna [...].
The civilians were shocked and disoriented when they first saw the devastation of their precious little town that had been virtually razed to the ground. Many were eager to find out what was left of their homes, and searched amongst the rubble for any belongings that perhaps still remained. Some families found themselves totally destitute. [...]
On the 18th May 1944 the Allied Forces finally succeeded in liberating Monte Cassino after the many months of fighting. The Germans had already begun their retreat towards Sora and aimed to fall back to another defence line known as the Winter Line. Before moving out they had blown up the bridge in Ponte Melfa and [...].
Thus the local people lived in fear of the blood curdling sound of the approaching bombers. Many decided to abandon their homes and sought to find places of safety on the hillsides above Atina. They trekked their way along steep and rocky mule tracks with just the few meagre possessions and supplies they could manage [...].
On the 19th October 1943 the first bombs were dropped on Atina by the Allies who were aiming for the bridge across the River Melfa. However the bombs failed to hit their target. One fell near the road known as La Costa. A couple hit the area close to the Cartiera and Contrada Guazzoli. Another fell [...].
On the 8th September 1943 Atina and the valley of the Ponte Melfa and Mollarino was invaded by the Baden-Württemberg 305th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht commanded by General Friedrich Wilhelm Hauck. By Christmas 1943 the 305th division was replaced by the 5th Gebirgjägers Division, from Bavaria and Austria, which specialised in mountain warfare. The division was first [...].
In 1734 the Bourbon King Charles VII was crowned King of the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily. In 1759 he passed the title to his son who became King Ferdinand IV. In 1798 King Ferdinand ordered the construction of an iron works in the district of Canneto in the Val di Comino. However ten years later the works were forced [...]
The fortifications of Cancello were constructed to defend the passage, located along the old Roman road (Via Sferracavali). This divided the territory of San Benedetto from the State of Alvito. There was a gateway with an iron gate which at one time was used as a customs point. Later it became part of a very strong [...].
Following the fall of the Roman Empire came a period known as the Dark Ages. The Val di Comino suffered repeated invasions and looting by the Barbarians. Firstly by the Visigoths in 421 and then by the Ostrogoths. Atina's troubled history continued over the centuries. In 589 AD the town was laid waste and many of [...]
