History of Cava
Set in a spectacular niche at the base of the Amalfi Coast, Cava de’ Tirreni is a charming and lively town, vibrating with history, art and fascinating traditions. Set between the Lattari Mountains towards East and the Piacentini Mountains towards West, it combines the plains of the "agro-nocerino" area and its industrial and agriculture based economy, with the mountains of the Sorrento Peninsula, famous for its travel industry. Cava de' Tirreni is a strategic location: traveling about 30 Km you may reach the most famous resorts of the Amalfi Coast, such as Amalfi (22 Km), Positano (35 Km), Ravello (28 Km), Paestum (50 Km), Vietri (2,5 Km). This is one of the reasons which have turned it into a famous travel destination, also known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast.
The origin of the name
There is no historical certainty regarding the etymological origin of the name “Cava”.It may have come from the geographic position of the town, set between two mountain ranges (thus the name “Cavea”, valley), or from the ancient position of the Benedictine Monastery high above the town in the cave of Arsicia (possibly in the past “Cava” meant cave), or most probably from the name of a medieval road, the “Via Caba”, a narrow valley road around which the first houses were built in those times.
The history
Cava was first inhabited by Etruscan navigators, called Tyrrhenians and in the Roman Era it became a well known summer resort, as can be seen in the ruins of the temples and villas of the ancient villages of Vetrato and San Cesario. Then came the Longobards, who left behind some peculiar towers used on their hunting grounds to catch doves.
During the Middle Ages the rise of the town’s importance was subsequent to that of the Holy Church and its local establishments. On 7 August 1394 Pope Bonifacio granted the Land of Cava the title and status of “City”, also giving it the honour of a Bishop. From here on the history of Cava has always been full of initiative and a strong defence of its independence. To this day the city commemorates the battle of Sarno of 1460 between the Angioini and the Aragonesi for the Reign of Naples with the historical parade of the “Disfida dei Trombonieri” (challenge of the trumpeters). As a prize for their loyalty the king gave the city of Cava a blank signed scroll with which the citizens could demand anything, yet they never compiled it, further proving their honesty and loyalty. The city of Cava remained loyal to the king also during the popular revolt lead by Masaniello in 1647.
In the 18th and 19th centuries Cava was one of the chosen destinations of all Italian and foreign travellers venturing on the so-called Grand Tour, travelling to Naples and its beautiful surroundings, then Paestum, Lucania and finally Sicily. Cava was chosen as a place to sojourn and enjoy the harmony of its panorama between the mountains and the sea as well as artistic treasures such as the fountain of Piazza Duomo, the Church of Madonna dell’Olmo and the Benedictine Abbey offering many works of art and a rich library of manuscripts.
Thanks to its ancient experience as a “city of sojourn”, Cava is specialized in hospitality and catering, as can be seen in the story of the Scapolatiello family.