Tromboniere Festival

A festival born from Cava tradition

The Tromboniere Festival was established in May 2025 in Cava de' Tirreni, in the province of Salerno, through the initiative of the Gruppo Trombonieri Sant'Anna and with the support of the local municipality. The first edition took place on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, 2025, in the Convent of San Francesco and Sant'Antonio, just a short walk from the town center. The organizers' goal was to celebrate the city's historical and folkloric roots, offering an authentic experience filled with traditional flavors, local history, and community spirit: not merely a costume re-enactment, but a convivial celebration of a tradition known to everyone in Cava.

Who is the tromboniere?

The tromboniere is an arquebusier who fires the trombone, a muzzle-loading weapon with a flared barrel that gives its name to Cava's most famous tradition. This memory is rooted in the Pergamena Bianca (White Parchment), a document granted in 1460 by Ferrante I of Aragon to the community of Cava. Since 1974, this history has been brought to life every summer in the Disfida dei Trombonieri, one of the most important historical re-enactments in Campania, featuring over a thousand participants in 15th-century attire and a firing competition between the city's districts. The Tromboniere Festival draws from this heritage, bringing it into a more intimate, grassroots setting.

The Gruppo Trombonieri Sant'Anna

The festival is promoted by the Gruppo Trombonieri Sant'Anna, one of the most deeply rooted historical associations in the Cava area. The group consists of about 130 members organized into three sections—flag-wavers, musicians, and artillerymen—along with the banner-bearers who lead official processions. It is an association built on families, local youth, and volunteers who spend the year preparing costumes, drums, and gunpowder; the festival serves as both a fundraiser and a moment of connection with the city.

Two days of food and entertainment

The format for the first edition was simple and effective: opening on Saturday evening for dinner starting at 7:00 PM, and reopening on Sunday from 12:00 PM for lunch and dinner. The stalls offered traditional Cava dishes, while entertainment for both adults and children took place throughout the event. The menu is determined by the organizers and announced in the days leading up to the festival.

• Traditional cuisine served at the cloister stalls, featuring the flavors of the Valle Metelliana
• Historical exhibition dedicated to the figure of the tromboniere and the city's history
• Family entertainment with dedicated spaces and activities for children
• Free admission to the festival area during the 2025 edition

The Convent of San Francesco and Sant'Antonio

The chosen venue is significant. The Franciscan complex in Cava de' Tirreni, now dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Padua, dates back to the 16th century. The church, originally named after Saint Mary of Jesus, was consecrated in 1544 and has survived centuries of natural and military events. The convent spaces in Piazza San Francesco provide the festival with an intimate, sheltered outdoor setting, just a short distance from the famous arcaded Scacciaventi porticoed street that defines the historic center.

Cava de' Tirreni, between the Lattari Mountains and the Coast

Cava de' Tirreni is one of the most populous towns in the province of Salerno, situated in the Valle Metelliana in a strategic position between Salerno, the Amalfi Coast, and the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese. It is a city of porticoes, hillside hamlets, and a strong civic identity, where the calendar of festivals—from the Disfida dei Trombonieri to local village fairs—defines community life far more than passing tourism. The Tromboniere Festival fits perfectly into this context: an event designed primarily for the locals, but open to anyone wishing to experience what 'tradition' truly means here.

The 2026 edition

As of the update of this page, a second edition of the Tromboniere Festival has not yet been publicly announced. The historical reference remains the month of May, as in 2025, but dates, programs, and menus have not been confirmed. Those wishing to attend should follow the channels of the Gruppo Trombonieri Sant'Anna and the communications from the Municipality of Cava de' Tirreni in the spring, when festival posters are typically released.