It is the very symbol of Cava, its most historic building. The Benedictine Abbey is situated in the narrow valley of the Selano stream just a few kilometres from Cava.
The Church of Our Lady of Mercy, also known as St. James’ Church, is the oldest church in the Scacciaventi suburb. It was founded by Buzio Vespone in conformity with a bull by Bishop D. Francesco d’Ajello in 1410.
In 1501 about sixty friars led by Damiano de Licia took possession of St. Francis’ Church. It was also known as the town church as the Town Council, as well as building it at their own expense, provided for the friars and bought the sacred furnishings.
On a pleasant hill, as if protecting the valley, stands St Auditore’s Castle. It is not certain when the castle was built.
The Church of St Rocco and St Damian is on the corso, the main street. It most probably incorporated the chapel dedicated to St Sebastian, which stood at the end of the old suburb.
The Church of Purgatory was built in 1750 with a parvis imposed by the laws of the time according to the distance from the Monastery. The layout of the church is quite large.
