Back in 1656, the city of Cava de' Tirreni was hit by a devastating plague that claimed numerous victims. The first death was recorded at Casa Costa in San Cesareo, in the Metiliano District, followed by other outbreaks at Casa Vallone in Dragonea and Casa Angrisani in Sant'Arcangelo, in the Corpo di Cava District. On 25 May 1656, at Casa Rosi in the Casale della Santissima Annunziata, in the District of Sant'Adjutore, a further tragic event was reported during Ascension Day.

Bishop Monsignor Lanfranchi noted in the records of the Curia that in the city of Cava alone 6,300 people lost their lives due to the plague, including 100 secular priests, 40 friars, 80 clerics, 12 notaries and as many doctors. The parish church of San Nicola di Bari in Dupino buried 22 people on 24 June 1656.

The only survivor among the four parish priests of the Santissima Annunziata, Don Angelo Franco, celebrated the first Eucharistic procession in the autumn of 1656. Having climbed onto the terrace of the Castle of Sant'Adjutore, he imparted the blessing to the population from every point of the compass. The plague ceased in December of the same year, putting an end to the human losses.

Since 1657, the citizens of Cava have commemorated the event with the celebrations in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, known as the "castle festival". The Corpus Domini procession, which became penitential, extended to the top of the Castle. Each person from Cava, equipped with a piston, participated armed, ready to defend the community at the sound of the bell of S. Liberatore.

This tradition, unchanged over the centuries, is still celebrated today with the spectacular firing of pistons from the stands of the Castle on the afternoon of the festival. The evening culminates with illuminations, fireworks and the imposing fire of the fortress, thus completing an event that combines historical memory and festivities.