Historical information
The Abbey of the Benedictine Fathers in Cava de' Tirreni (Salerno) rises up in a valley not very far from the Amalfitan Coastline.
The Abbey was founded in 1011 by Saint Alferio, a nobleman of Salerno. Very soon, under the third Abbot Saint Pietro, the Abbey became the centre for a flourishing congregation. The order Cavensis became a divine centre for spiritual fulfilment and expanded to encompass approximately 400 churches, abbeys and priories.
Consequently it spiritual and secular influence spread throughout southern Italy. Credit should also be given to the patronage of the people of Salerno.
During the first glorious three centuries, the initial four Abbots were recognised by the Church and canonised (Alferio, Leone, Pietro, Costabile), an other eight followed Marion, Benicassa, Pietro II, Balsamo, Leonardo, Leone II.
Between the eighth and ninth centuries, the Faith began to decline due to the desire for material assets and an increase in robbery and violence. In 1394, popularity and faith increased and the Abbey became an Episcopal centre, a phenomenon if its time and was entrusted to the Abbots. Due to the lack of Holy Sisters and wealth, the Abbey was in 1497 combined with the congregation of S.Guistina of Padova.
From then on, the Abbots adhered to their holy orders, monastic observance, studies and pastoral care of the diocese. In the eighteenth century, the Church and other parts of Badia were widened and reconstructed but there still remained medieval in architecture. The Abbey holds important archives containing approximately 15.000 parchments form the eighth to nineteenth centuries and the library which holds other precious manuscripts and incunabulum. As a result of the law of abolition (7 July 1867), the Abbey was declared a national and entrusted monument under the jurisdiction of the Abbots indefinitely.

The Abbey today
Today the Abbey holds many art treasures.
The Benedictine Fathers that have inhabited it for a thousand years continue to carry on their work. Observering their holy orders, spiritual meditation through prayer and observing the doctrine of S. Benedetto. The Benedictine Fathers are also the custodians of the archives and library, they are hosts to many pilgrims, they provide ministerial services within the Abbey's diocese and play an important role in the formation of the clergy.

Abbey Visits: with the arrival of the millennium
During the centuries of its history, the Abbey has been enriched with many works of art from different ages, frescos, mosaics, sarcophagi, sculptures, paintings, manuscripts and priceless objects.
The Benedictine Abbey Holy Trinity, would like to offer, through art, history, nature and culture, guided tours, to spend a day experiencing monastic life and moreover to walk along the narrow streets of the medieval village .
The main itinerary includes the tour of the monastery, guided by the Reverend Father Abbot.
During the itinerary will be visited:
I. the Basilica
II. the Chapel of the holy fathers
III. the Cave of Sant'Alferio
IV. the ancient Chapels with XI century altars
V. the romanic Cloister
VI. the old and new Hall Capitular
VII. the chapel of San Germano
VIII. the Catacombs
IX. the Longobard Cemetery
X. the Museum

The Basilica
Constructed in the eleventh century by Abbott S Pietro and consecrated by Pope Urbano II on 5 September 1092. The Basilica was completely reconstructed in the eighteenth century and designed by Giovanni del Gaiso. The pulpit of the twelfth century remains and the Chapel of the holy fathers replastered and covered in polychromy marble in 1641.
Chapel of the antique Basilica
Remarkable altar front in marble of the eleventh century, the sculpture of Tino of Camaino and the flooring in majolica of the fifteenth century.
The Cave of S. Alferio
Chiostro
Of the XIII century, situated below an overhanging rock face, upon two marble pillars with Roman capitols and raised arches.
Hall of antique canons
Adjacent to the Cloister, gothic from the thirteenth century, housing sarcophagi and frescos of different ages.
Cemetery
The crypt is from twelfth century and the cylindrical pillars in masonry in an evocative effect.
The Chapel of San Germano, of 1280.
Museum
A splendid hall from the thirteenth century, in which there hangs paintings, sculptures, sarcophagi, chorales, and copies of documents from the archives.
The Apse
A hall with various attributes, wooden chair backs from 1540, frescos on the walls from about 1642, flooring in majolica tiles from 1777 and the ceiling from 1940.

The Abbey may be visited every weekday and holidays. About an hour for the complete itinerary.
Entry fee € 3,00 including guide.

Informations and reservations:
www.artcurel.it/associazionesalferioabate.htm
email: annarusso_04@fastwebnet.it
Mobile +393471946957

How to reach the Abbey
Abbazia Benedettina SS. Trinità
Via M. Morcaldi, 6 - 84013 Cava de' Tirreni (SA)

Cava de' Tirreni is reachable:
by car:
- motorway A3 Naples-Salerno - exit Cava de' Tirreni
by train:
- F.S. from Naples to Salerno
by bus :
- Lines CSTP from Salerno / Central Station - line 4 and 9
- Lines SITA from Naples / Central Station.

The Badia of Cava is reachable from the center of Cava de' Tirreni by CSTP bus (departure every 30 minutes from viale Crispi, near the Town Hall).