1400th Anniversary of Abbey of Montecassino (XIV centenario Monte Cassino).

Description: Series of 6 stamps with 4 subjects. Impression 175.000.
Date of issue: August 1, 1929. Valid up to December 31, 1929.

Montecassino, the first European abbey, is an Italian abbey in the mountain nearby the city of Cassino between Rome and Naples. It was founded in 529 by St. Benedict of Nursia. The abbey was destroyed again an again, and was each time refunded on the original site. It was completely ruined in 1944.

In the upper left corner the coat-of-arms with fasces. In the upper right corner an image of a medal. The cross is dominant on the back of the medal.
On the arms of the cross are the initial letters of the rhythmic Latin prayer "Crux sacra sit mihi lux. Nunquam draco sit mihi dux" (May the holy cross be my light. May the dragon never be my guide).
The four letters C - S - P - B, written round the cross, mean "Crux S. Patris Benedicti" (The cross of our holy Benedict).


Stamp 10+2 lire has different design.

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Date created: 22/03/00 11:42:36