The Abbey to the Holy Trinity in Cava de' Tirreni

A religious and cultural center of Middle Ages

More commonly known as the Abbey of Cava de' Tirreni, it was founded in XIth century and elected to territorial abbey status in 1394 A.D.. Not far inland from the Amalfi Coast, this splendid building is situated about 3 kilometres from the city of Cava dei Tirreni. The city itself, has a well conserved centre of extraordinary, quiet and suggestive beauty. Originally planned by a holy Longobard hermit from the historic Abbey at Cluny, the Badia di Cava soon attracted mystics and hermits who built a convent that is rich in art treasures and buildings of extreme stylistic magnificence. A great number of Benedictine monks who were residents of the monastery between the 10th and 12th centuries have been Beatified or become Saints of the Catholic church.

Among these, St. Peter 1st, nephew of Alferio, the founder, who enlarged the monastery and founded an important monastic congregation, l'Ordo Cavensis (Order of Cava) that spread his spiritual and temporal influence in the entire south of Italy. During the many years of its history, the Abbey has accumulated and preserved many works of art: buildings, frescoes, mosaics, sarcophagi, sculpture, paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and other precious objects and furnishings. If you are in the area in mid-June the wonderful Feast of Montecastello in honour of the Holy Trinity awaits you here. The feast is a true Italian historic event commemorating a fundamental page in the history of the city of Cava that - for these few days - is invaded by historic processions in costume, famous flag waving exhibitions and magnificent fireworks displays.

Near Cava de' Tirreni is the city of Vietri sul Mare, with it's magnificent ceramic arts. It can easily be reached by highway, train or bus from Cava or from Pompei.