Solemn celebrations of SS.SACRAMENTO

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One of the most important religious and folkloristic events in the city of Cava de' Tirreni are the celebrations in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, called "Festa di Montecastello". It has taken place every year since 1656, the year in which the city and the population of Cavese were devastated by a bloody plague.

History tells us that the parish priest Don Angelo Franco of the Santissima Annunziata hamlet, on the octave of the Solemnity of Corpus Domini, organized a procession with the faithful, bringing the Blessed Sacrament from the church to Monte Castello; from the hill overlooking the Metellina valley, God's blessing was invoked on the city and the Cava area from the four sides of the castle of Sant'Adjuotore. The epidemic ended, and the people of Cava, as a sign of gratitude for the grace received, have renewed the ritual of the procession every year for centuries.

Alongside the religious aspect, over the last few years, the festival has been enriched with other historical and folkloristic references, such as the historical re-enactment of the tragic plague with a performance in period costumes, on Friday evening, and the historical procession along the city streets of the piston and flag-waving groups, with the blessing in the cathedral churchyard on Saturday. One of the main symbols of the Montecastello Festival is in fact the piston: a 16th century weapon, also known as an arquebus. Over the centuries, the weapon has lost its identity as an instrument of war, becoming instead an instrument of "joy": the people of Cava usually fire blank shots from Monte Castello to celebrate the festival and the cessation of the plague.

The celebrations end every year with a fireworks display from Monte Castello, so dear to the people of Cava that it increases the value of a house simply by having the right exposure towards the mountain.

Last but not least, the aspect of culinary tradition, with some typical dishes that Cavesi families usually consume during the festival: spleen, soppressata, aubergines with chocolate, pastiera di maccheroni (the Neapolitan pasta omelette), accompanied by local wine local.

31-05-24 Antonio Di Martino