Elevation of the Lands of La Cava to the Rank of City (Salvatoris Nostri Bull)

The birthday of a city

Few Italian cities can pinpoint their exact date of birth. Cava de' Tirreni, in the province of Salerno, can: August 7, 1394. This is the date of the papal bull Salvatoris Nostri, with which Pope Boniface IX elevated the lands of La Cava to the rank of City, simultaneously raising the Benedictine abbey to a bishopric and the Church of the Trinity to a cathedral. That document also gave rise to the name «La Cava», and it is the inspiration for the historical re-enactment that the Municipality and local associations have built around this anniversary.

A young re-enactment, an ancient memory

The «Elevation of the Lands of La Cava to the Rank of City» event was born in 2024, on the occasion of the 630th anniversary, and was repeated in August 2025 for the City's 631st anniversary. It is a recent re-enactment, but it rests on a deep-rooted tradition of civic theater and historical pageantry in Cava de' Tirreni: costumed memory has been at home here for centuries, from the famous Disfida dei Trombonieri to the Montecastello Feast.

Piazza Duomo as a stage

The heart of the re-enactment is Piazza Duomo (Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III) and the cathedral parvis, transformed into an open-air stage. The solemn reading of the bull, the arrival of the papal envoys, the homage of the banners, and the jubilation of the population are presented with careful theatrical direction—the first edition was directed by Andrea Adinolfi—accompanied by drums, clarions, and flag-wavers. The public watches from the porticoes and the steps of the parvis, in one of the most scenic squares in Campania.

The Trombonieri Cavalieri Bolla Pontificia A.D. 1394

The driving force behind the event is the Trombonieri Cavalieri Bolla Pontificia A.D. 1394 association, a historical-cultural non-profit founded on September 4, 2017, specifically to keep the memory of the 1394 bull alive. The group counts over 150 participants—arquebusiers, crossbowmen, pikemen, flag-bearers, drummers, and clarion players—and parades in the Vatican colors of white, red, and gold, wearing costumes made of San Leucio silk. Working alongside them are the Pro Loco Marcina Città di Cava de' Tirreni and other local organizations, with the patronage of the Province of Salerno and the Campania Region.

More than just a parade: solidarity and education

The association's motto is «Folklore and Solidarity», and it is not just a formal phrase: alongside their costumed outings, the Knights organize blood drives and bone marrow donor registrations, donate defibrillators, manage a drum and clarion school, and run workshops for young people. The August 7th re-enactment is therefore also the annual showcase of civic work that lasts all year round.

The flavors of La Cava

The 2025 edition added a gastronomic chapter, bringing specialties of Cava's pastry tradition to the square as an integral part of the city's cultural heritage. An idea consistent with the local identity: in Cava de' Tirreni, the confectionery tradition—from dry pastries to festive sweets—has always accompanied major collective events.

Cava de' Tirreni, the city of porticoes

Those who arrive for the re-enactment find much more than just an evening in costume. Cava de' Tirreni is the only city in Campania with a long porticoed street (Corso Umberto I), overlooking a green basin between the Lattari Mountains and Salerno, just a few kilometers from the Amalfi Coast. Above the center, you can reach the Badia della Santissima Trinità, a Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th century, with its archive and library: it is precisely the abbey that is the protagonist of the 1394 bull. Watching over the city is the sanctuary of Montecastello, the destination of one of the most beloved festivals for the people of Cava.

Why it's worth attending

• A certain and documented historical date, re-enacted in the exact place where history was made.
• Over 150 costumed participants, including polearms, papal flags, and period music.
• Piazza Duomo and the central porticoes as a natural scenic backdrop.
• An opportunity to discover the pastry and typical products of the Cava basin.
• A perfect base for a visit to the Benedictine abbey and the nearby Amalfi Coast.