The church of Santa Maria Maggiore was also called the church of Santa Maria della terra because it was built on land donated by the princes of Salerno to the Abbey in 1079.
This was the first cathedral of Cava. It had a basilica-style layout, as shown by the three entrance doors. Inside, one can observe reused spolia material. Of notable value is the lectern made from leftover elements of the medieval ambo.
Of fine workmanship is the 1617 wooden statue of the Assumption, the work of the sculptor Martino Carrozza. Coats of arms from various eras belonging to the commendatory abbots crown the entire central nave and the transept.
Edited by: Lucia Avagliano and Beatrice Sparano
