The Cassino Cable Car & Hangman’s Hill

The Cassino Cable Car was built before World War Two to connect the monastery of Monte Cassino with the town of Cassino. The inauguration took place on 21st May 1930, in the presence of all the civil and religious authorities of Cassino. After the cutting of the inaugural ribbon, the abbot of Montecassino, Don Gregorio Diamare, blessed the cabin.

Finally, after centuries of isolation, the monastery of Monte Cassino was connected to the town of Cassino, crossing a gorge which would take the whole of a tiring day to cover on foot. 

The cable car started just outside the railway station and arrived up to the top of Monte Cassino Monastery, overcoming a difference in height of 428 meters over a distance of 1511 meters.

The speed was 3.6 meters per second and each of the two small cars had a capacity of 10 passengers. The hourly capacity of the line was 120 passengers. Both stations featured a large hall for travelers, and large windows offered views of the surrounding landscape. The project was financed and promoted by the Italian government  as a means to foster national tourism to Monte Cassino, cradle of European civilization.

In late 1943, the cable car was completely destroyed. It was brought down by a German aircraft whose pilot did not survive the crash. After the crash severed the cables, the upper pylon of the cable line resembled, in the grim humor of Allied troops, an executioner’s gallows. From that moment on, it was nicknamed “Hangman’s Hill.”

The cable service was not resumed after the war. In the process of restoring the monastery to its former beauty, a proper tarmac road was constructed from the bottom of the valley to the abbey. Before 1944, the road up was only made of flagstones.

Hangman’s Hill in the Battle of Cassino

Hangman’s Hill — also known as Quote 435 — played an important role during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Against all odds, C Company of the 1st Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles, led by Captain M.R. Drinkhall DSO, managed to reach and hold the position from 15th to 23rd March 1944. Under constant German attack, the Gurkhas resisted for nine days before being forced to withdraw due to a lack of ammunition and supplies.

Today, there are ongoing projects to rebuild a similar cable car route connecting the town and the monastery, offering both symbolic and practical value to future generations.

Discover the Battlefield with a Guide

To explore the historic ground around Hangman’s Hill, Castle Hill, and the destroyed monastery, join our Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour led by Dr. Danila Bracaglia. This tour brings to life the stories of soldiers, regiments, and locations through maps, archival images, and personal accounts. Learn more about the strategic importance of the cable car, the Gurkha stand at Quote 435, and the battles that raged around the abbey.

➤ Click here to explore the Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour

Contact

For  guided tours, please email: danila.bracaglia@gmail.com

Dr. Danila Bracaglia